Special Rappateur David Johnston appeared before a parliamentary Procedure and House Affairs Committee meeting on Tuesday and defended his reputation and actions as opposition MPs grilled him.
Johnston, who was governor-general of Canada from 2010 to 2018, was appointed to his role by the federal government to investigate foreign interference in Canadian elections.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assigned him the task after reports about China’s interference and leaked Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) memos were made public.
His first report was published on May 23. It included his recommendation not to conduct a public inquiry.
Since then and during Wednesday’s hearing, he has said that the amount of classified information that already exists makes it impossible to hold a public inquiry.
All the opposition parties have rejected that finding, and since then, several MPs have raised questions about Johnston’s independence.
On May 30, Parliament voted for his resignation, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided Johnston would stay. His next report is scheduled for October.
Here are two takeaways from Wednesday’s Procedure and House Affairs Committee meeting.
1. Johnston defends his independence
Johnston started by saying he had “deep respect for the House of Commons and for its right to express an opinion on my work.”
But he was unwavering in his stand.
“I have heard clearly the disagreement with my recommendations not to call a public inquiry, as well as allegations about my integrity and my independence,” he said.
“These allegations are, put simply, false.”
Conservative MP Larry Brock asked him several times about his personal links with the prime minister. Johnston said his relationship had been with Justin Trudeau’s father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau.
“During the course of almost 40 years, we had no meetings, no dinners at one another’s homes,” Johnston said about his interactions with the current PM.
Conservative MP Michael Barrett asked about Johnston’s involvement with the Trudeau Foundation.
“The role as a member of the association is to attend annual general meetings,” Johnston said. “Nothing to do whatsoever with any of the decision-making of the Trudeau Foundation.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who attended the committee himself on Wednesday, replacing an NDP committee member, also expressed his views on Johnston’s staying in his role.
“I’m disappointed that he remains the special rapporteur, despite the will of the House being voted that he should be removed,” Singh said before the hearing started.
2. Johnston defends his counsel Sheila Block
Barrett also asked Johnston if he didn’t see a conflict of interest with his advisor Sheila Block who Barrett described as “a lifetime donor and supporter of the Liberal Party, including attending fundraising events with the prime minister.”
Johnston repeatedly said he didn’t see a conflict of interest.
“She is renowned for the quality of her work and certainly the important work that’s done well,” he said. “But that said, the conclusions in the report are mine.”
According to public sources, Block donated $7,593.38 to the Liberal Party.
During the hearing, Johnston said Block has made contributions to other parties
NDP MP Peter Julian asked Johnston whether he has checked Block’s political donation history and practices.
“I wasn’t aware of her donation history, and it wouldn’t have occurred to me to inquire into that,” Johnston said.