Canadian appointee rejects inquiry into China interference in elections; opposition blasts decision

By ROB GILLIES
Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — A Canadian government appointee has rejected holding a public inquiry into leaked intelligence that China interfered in Canada’s federal elections, drawing allegations of a cover-up from the Conservative opposition.  Opposition lawmakers have demanded a full public inquiry on the alleged Chinese interference since a report about it earlier this year by the Globe and Mail newspaper. It cited unidentified intelligence sources that China preferred to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals re-elected in the 2021 election and worked to defeat Conservative politicians considered unfriendly to Beijing. Trudeau appointee David Johnston said Tuesday that a public inquiry could not take place because of the sensitivity of the leaked intelligence.