Latest news with #MichaelChong
CBC
a day ago
- General
- CBC
It's time to act on foreign interference, attacks on dissidents, say opposition MPs
Social Sharing Opposition parties are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to quickly implement key provisions of the law adopted last year to counter foreign interference following new revelations that attacks on Chinese dissidents living in Canada and around the world are on the rise. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong said the "brazen" attacks by the Chinese government constitute a threat to Canadian democracy. "We've had more than enough reports, public inquiries, commissions that have highlighted this transnational repression and foreign interference," Chong said in an interview with CBC News. "It's now time for action." Chong's comments come in the wake of an investigation by CBC News, in conjunction with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which found attacks by the Chinese government on dissidents living in Canada — and around the world — are on the rise. Questioning of family members in China. Surveillance. Threatening phone calls. Online attacks. Spamouflage — which in one case led to fake, sexually explicit photos of one Quebec woman being spread online. In many cases, dissidents are targeted for expressing opinions contrary to the Chinese government's positions on what it calls "the five poisons": democracy in Hong Kong, treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetan freedom, the Falun Gong and Taiwanese independence. The Chinese embassy has yet to respond to questions from CBC News. It's a trend that worries experts on China, who say the attacks damage democracy and national security in Canada. Last June, Parliament adopted Bill C-70, which set out to counter foreign influence in elections and transnational repression of dissidents living in Canada. The legislation called for the establishment of a foreign agent registry and a foreign influence commissioner's office. Nearly a year later, those measures have not yet been put in place. NDP MP Jenny Kwan says it's time. "In light of the CBC investigation and the reports that have now come out, you would think that this would be a priority for the government. But so far, I have yet to hear the prime minister say foreign interference, transnational repression is a top priority for them." Kwan said people who are targeted by China are often told to go to the police, however she said that has often resulted in no action being taken. "All of that only just reinforces for them that there is no avenue for them to seek protection, that the Canadian government is not there with them in the face of such threats," she said. Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe said the government will be sending China a message if it doesn't act. "You can do whatever you want, we won't move. That's what the message will be. This is very dangerous," he said. Brunelle Duceppe said the Bloc has called for transnational repression to be added to Canada's Criminal Code. Chong said implementing Bill C-70 doesn't appear to be a priority for Carney's government. "The early signs are troubling," Chong said. "There's no mention in the speech from the throne. There's been no update on the establishment of this registry, and we've heard little from the government about protecting Canadians from these national security threats." The Public Safety Department says it is working on drafting the regulations to enact Bill C-70, setting up the commissioner's office and the IT infrastructure for the registry.
National Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
Michael Higgins: Liberal caucus submits to Carney as it did to Trudeau
Contrary to what many in the West believe, some countries dislike democracy, preferring the strongman, the firm ruler, the dictator. Article content Article content So it is with the Liberals who have shunned accountability and democracy in favour of the autocratic leader. Article content Considering the problems the Liberals had with the last guy, it must be the case that some turkeys really do vote for Christmas. Article content Article content On Sunday, a majority of the Liberal caucus voted down a motion to adopt the rules set out in the Reform Act, a decade old law to give MPs more power. Article content Article content One of the central planks of the Reform Act would give caucus members the right to trigger a review of the party leader. Article content The private bill sponsored by Conservative Michael Chong passed its third reading in the House in 2014 with an impressive 260 votes for with only 17 against. Article content At the time, Chong said, 'I don't expect that all the rules will be adopted all at once, but in the long run, party caucuses will democratize themselves and empower themselves.' Article content After each federal election, parties vote on whether to adopt Reform Act rules or not. Article content The Liberals, despite overwhelmingly voting in favour of the act, have always chosen not to adopt it. Article content But the failure not to vote for it this time is baffling. Article content Former Liberal leader Justin Trudeau refused to relinquish power and attempts to get him to go bordered on the farcical. Article content During a caucus meeting last October, a letter from MPs was read to Trudeau urging him to step aside. The letter was signed by two dozen Liberal MPs, but such is the fear ingrained in MPs that the letter presented to Trudeau at the caucus meeting did not contain any names. Article content Article content Trudeau responded defiantly within 24 hours saying that he would be leading the Liberals into the next election. Article content Article content Many Liberal MPs critical of Trudeau preferred to remain anonymous with New Brunswick MP Wayne Long being one of the few who was open and vocal. Article content The calls within the party for Trudeau to go kept getting louder and yet the prime minister held on to power tenaciously, gripping it with his fingernails as events tried to prise him from it. By December, a majority of his caucus was demanding he resign; then Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit cabinet and with a twist of the knife accused Trudeau of 'political gimmicks,' and perhaps most damning was the lack of public support, the approval rating for Trudeau was at an all-time low and support for the Liberals stood at a mere 16 per cent. Article content In the face of all this, Trudeau went skiing and it wasn't until January that he bowed to the inevitable.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Liberals vote against adopting rules to allow caucus to oust leader
Prime Minister Mark Carney makes remarks at a meeting of the Liberal caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Sunday, May 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA — Liberal caucus chair James Maloney says party MPs have voted against adopting a formal process to eject their leader should the need arise. A majority of Liberal MPs voted down a motion to adopt the rules set out under the ten-year-old Reform Act. That law was designed by Conservative MP Michael Chong to embolden individual MPs to hold their party leaders to account by allowing them to force leadership reviews. But Maloney is refusing to say anything more about the vote -- and insists any discussions that happen in caucus meetings should remain private. The internal debate was prompted by Liberal MPs upset that former leader Justin Trudeau was able to stay at the helm despite numerous calls from caucus for him to step aside. It was the same method the Conservatives used to oust Erin O'Toole from the leadership after the Conservatives lost the 2021 election. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2025.
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Liberals vote against adopting rules to allow caucus to oust leader
OTTAWA - Liberal caucus chair James Maloney says party MPs have voted against adopting a formal process to eject their leader should the need arise. A majority of Liberal MPs voted down a motion to adopt the rules set out under the ten-year-old Reform Act. That law was designed by Conservative MP Michael Chong to embolden individual MPs to hold their party leaders to account by allowing them to force leadership reviews. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW But Maloney is refusing to say anything more about the vote — and insists any discussions that happen in caucus meetings should remain private. The internal debate was prompted by Liberal MPs upset that former leader Justin Trudeau was able to stay at the helm despite numerous calls from caucus for him to step aside. It was the same method the Conservatives used to oust Erin O'Toole from the leadership after the Conservatives lost the 2021 election. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2025. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Liberals vote against adopting rules to allow caucus to oust leader
OTTAWA — Liberal caucus chair James Maloney says party MPs have voted against adopting a formal process to eject their leader should the need arise. A majority of Liberal MPs voted down a motion to adopt the rules set out under the ten-year-old Reform Act. That law was designed by Conservative MP Michael Chong to embolden individual MPs to hold their party leaders to account by allowing them to force leadership reviews. But Maloney is refusing to say anything more about the vote -- and insists any discussions that happen in caucus meetings should remain private. The internal debate was prompted by Liberal MPs upset that former leader Justin Trudeau was able to stay at the helm despite numerous calls from caucus for him to step aside. It was the same method the Conservatives used to oust Erin O'Toole from the leadership after the Conservatives lost the 2021 election. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2025. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
