Trudeau faces row over political interference by China

Significance

Trudeau is under pressure as documents leaked from the intelligence community suggest China attempted to influence the outcome of the 2019 and 2021 elections. Parliament is demanding an inquiry and a poll last week suggests 70% of Canadians feel that the federal government is afraid to stand up to China.

Impacts

• Trudeau’s dismissal of the allegations will anger the political right, further polarising the country’s politics.
• Trudeau may already have missed the point at which he could shape the remit of an inquiry on his own terms.
• The New Democratic Party will come under political attack for being seen to defend the Liberals if they take no action on the issue.
• Relations with China will remain contentious and adversarial, and are likely to worsen under a Conservative government.