Ottawa's Interference Inquiry jolted with second Diaspora boycott
https://www.thebureau.news/p/ottawas-interference-inquiry-jolted
Hong Kong and Uyghur immigrant groups fear legal standing of several Chinese Canadian politicians; Hong Kong group also questions Commissioner Hogue's ties to Liberal PMs
Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission faces intensifying credibility concerns as a Hong Kong immigrant group becomes the second diaspora group to boycott Ottawa’s examination into Chinese interference, based on concerns that several politicians “suspected of ties to Chinese Consulates” were awarded legal standing by Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue.
In addition to publishing a statement to the Commission citing “concerns over its objectivity and security integrity,” Hong Kong Canadian boycott spokesperson Ivy Li personally questioned Commissioner Hogue’s own professional links to former Liberal prime ministers Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien.
In late January, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP) pulled out of the inquiry, accusing Commissioner Hogue of enabling "a significant security risk" to the diaspora in Canada and their families in China.
URAP spokesman Mehmet Tohti said his group could not participate because two Toronto-area Liberal politicians — MP Han Dong and former Ontario MPP and current Markham Deputy Mayor Michael Chan — were given full standing, meaning their lawyers will be able to question other participants in the proceedings.
In its statement Tuesday, Canadian Friends of Hong Kong named these same politicians and also added Senator Yuen Pau Woo — granted intervener status by Hogue — to the list.
“We have grave concerns regarding the objectivity and the security integrity of the Foreign Interference Commission Inquiry, primarily due to standing being granted to individuals suspected to have strong ties to the Chinese Consulates, and their proxies,” the statement says. Continue…