Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Justin Trudeau’s continuing cover-up of Beijing’s interference in Canadian democracy: 

“Justin Trudeau’s handpicked ‘special rapporteur’ has done exactly the job that was asked of him. David Johnston is shamefully helping the Prime Minister cover up Beijing’s attacks on our democracy. This is outrageous, but not surprising.  

“This report was rigged from the start and has zero credibility. David Johnston, a ski buddy, cottage neighbour and family friend of Justin Trudeau, was given a fake job by the Prime Minister and tasked with sweeping Trudeau’s coverup under the rug. Even worse, Johnston is a member of the Trudeau Foundation, which received $140,000 in donations from Beijing designed to influence the Prime Minister and his government. It comes as no surprise that there is not a single mention of the Trudeau Foundation in Johnston’s report. It’s hard to imagine a more compromised individual for this fake job. 

“Canada’s democracy is at stake. Weekly, and sometimes daily reports have come out in the media with information from whistleblowers who risk potential prosecution because no one in Trudeau’s government is listening. And instead of taking these reports seriously, Trudeau and his handpicked rapporteur are more concerned about these whistleblowers than they are about Beijing’s interference in our democracy. 

“The Prime Minister must listen to Parliament and call an independent public inquiry now. This inquiry must be led by someone actually independent, not a Trudeau family friend. If Trudeau refuses to do this, Jagmeet Singh and the NDP must stand with Conservatives, put an end to their coverup coalition and hold Trudeau accountable. 

“Justin Trudeau’s first job is to protect Canadians and protect our democracy. His repeated attempts to hide what he knew, and what he did, about Beijing’s interference in our democracy are shocking. It must end.  

“Canadians deserve answers. Trudeau must ignore his fake ‘rapporteur’ and call a public inquiry now.”