The Minister of Public Security believes that “nothing, nothing, nothing” demonstrates that there is foreign interference in Quebec, an assertion that makes the mayor of Brossard “fall out of her chair”. She points out “that an RCMP investigation is still underway into two alleged Chinese police stations,” including one in her city.
Posted at 3:15 p.m.
“And I repeat for those who are listening to us, nothing leads us to believe that there is interference or anything else in Quebec. Nothing, nothing, nothing,” François Bonnardel said Thursday during question period.
He was responding to a question from PQ MP Pascal Paradis, who asked him what his strategy was “to preserve” the democratic institutions of Quebec. The PQ is asking the Legault government to launch an investigation following the tabling of the federal report on foreign interference, which reveals that elected officials are helping states to interfere in Canadian politics.
“The question we are asking is: is there going to be an investigation? Is there any action? Is the minister doing anything or is he relying solely on the federal government? It’s our institutions we’re talking about. This is Quebec we are talking about. There are municipal elections coming up, there are elections in Quebec coming up, we have to be ready,” lamented Mr. Paradis.
“We have a Directorate of State Security, State Security at the ministry. We are in communication with all the intelligence services, including CSIS, and nothing leads us to believe that there is foreign political or other interference in Quebec, nothing, nothing. Is that clear ? », replied the Minister of Public Security.
Falling out of your chair
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION THE PRESS
Doreen Assaad, mayor of Brossard
Upon learning this response, the mayor of Brossard, Doreen Assaad, “fell out of her chair.” “An RCMP investigation is still underway into two alleged Chinese police stations, including one in Brossard. How can he draw such conclusions without knowing the results of the investigation? The minister’s comments did not reassure me in any way. The uncertainty remains,” she said in a written statement sent to The Press.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Bonnardel, she also asked him to carry out an investigation. “This investigation is essential to guarantee the transparency and security of our democratic institutions. Let us mention that the City of Brossard finds itself in a particular situation, while you are aware that a municipal councilor is director general of two organizations which are under investigation by the RCMP due to allegations of having operated Chinese police,” she says.
“Significant concerns regarding foreign influence during the last municipal elections in Brossard remain unanswered and confirm the need to investigate in order to preserve the integrity of our political processes,” she adds.
“We would also like to remind you that we are still without conclusion of a complaint filed with the Director General of Elections of Quebec (DGEQ) concerning three alleged offenses. Despite the seriousness of the situation, and after holding a meeting, the Quebec Municipal Commission (CMQ) chose not to intervene,” laments Doreen Assaad.
The mayor believes that “we are therefore left to our own devices in this crucial issue for the integrity of our local democracy”.
The matter is, however, contentious. In March, the director of the Sino-Québec Center and municipal councilor, Xixi Li, launched a lawsuit for $68,000 in damages against Mme Assaad and accuses the mayor of “multiplying the declarations in order to discredit her”.
