Conservatives Decry Limited Role in Foreign Interference Inquiry

The Conservatives have expressed disapproval over the recent decision by the Foreign Interference Commissioner to limit their standing in the forthcoming public inquiry. On Dec. 4, Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue issued her decision on the standing applications for the inquiry. The inquiry, set to commence in January, will unfold in two phases: first, a factual phase will focus on investigating allegations of interference from China and other malign foreign actors in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, followed by a policy phase to explore counteractions against such interference. Ms. Hogue granted applicants standing in three categories: those that have full participation rights including access to non-public documents and the ability to question witnesses in the factual inquiry; interveners that can make submissions and access evidence available to the public during the factual inquiry, and a third group that has standing in the policy phase....