Trudeau names former governor general as special rapporteur on foreign meddling

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed former governor general David Johnston as the special rapporteur on foreign interference.

Johnston will be responsible for investigating allegations of foreign meddling in Canada’s last two federal elections and recommend how the Liberal government should respond.

That could include a public inquiry, which opposition parties have been demanding, or some other form of investigation.

READ MORE: Special watchdog to oversee foreign interference probes: Trudeau

Johnston was appointed to the viceregal role on the advice of former prime minister Stephen Harper in 2010 and his term was extended under Trudeau until 2017.

Trudeau announced earlier this month his plan to name an “eminent Canadian” for the role, saying at the time that the government will follow the recommendations.

A special parliamentary security committee is also looking into the alleged interference by China in the 2019 and 2021 elections, after reports by Global News and the Globe and Mail.

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