1. The Issues
  2. China, Hong Kong and Foreign Interference

Born in Hong Kong, Jenny immigrated to Canada at a young age. She has been outspoken against human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party, and is heartbroken to see the enactment of the draconian National Security Law and the Article 23 national security legislation leading to the demise of Hong Kong's One Country Two Systems. Jenny also advocates for the Uyghur Muslim minority. In 2023, Jenny was informed by CSIS that she is an "evergreen" target of the Chinese government.  She has declared that she will not bend to foreign interference.

CBC: House won't hold priority debate on MPs implicated in foreign interference report: Speaker

Kwan argued that as long as the names of those politicians remain secret, Canadians will lose trust in their elected officials, undermining MPs' ability to do their jobs. "The report did not provide any names and as such all 338 members of this House, including those who have since left this chamber, are under a cloud of suspicion," Kwan said in June.

But Fergus ruled Monday that Kwan had failed to demonstrate "concretely" that keeping the names secret has impeded MPs' ability to carry out their duties.

"While I understand that findings presented in the NSICOP report are serious and appear to create suspicions about certain members, that in itself is not a basis to establish this question of privilege merits priority of consideration over all other House business," he said.

In order to be considered a "prima facie" violation of privilege, an issue must also be raised in a timely manner. In his ruling, Fergus pointed out that Kwan raised the issue two weeks after the NSICOP report was released.

Canadian Press NEWS: Canada has become 'playground' for foreign interference, Tory MP Chong tells inquiry

New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan, who has been identified as a target of clandestine Chinese influence activities, expressed concern at the inquiry about the ability of federal structures to address foreign interference.

"We actually really have to catch up with other jurisdictions."

Kwan cited a need for an "independent structure, one that is accountable and divorced from politics," to take the lead and drive actions that must be taken to protect Canada's national interest.

Globe NEWS: India and China use illegal funds and disinformation to sway politicians, CSIS report says

China and India are deeply engaged in attempting to influence diaspora communities and elect MPs sympathetic to their interests through illicit funding and disinformation campaigns, according to a CSIS report tabled at the public inquiry into foreign interference.

The inquiry has already heard testimony about the broad range of China’s foreign-influence activities, but the new Canadian Security Intelligence Service document details how heavily involved the government of India is in trying to meddle in Canadian domestic affairs and undermine support for the Khalistan movement that seeks an independent Sikh state in Punjab.

City TV NEWS: Advocacy group critical of report into foreign election interference

The New Democratic Party’s MP for Vancouver East Jenny Kwan says she believes she was also targetted.

“There’s no question in my mind that the diaspora community and, particularly, the Chinese Canadian community has been impacted,” she said.

She says hate-related incidents are happening because of interference, but the inquiry is required to get to the truth.

“So we’re not under the same cloud of suspicion, for elected officials to be suspected of being ‘traitors,’ quote unquote, of Canada, and if we don’t, sort of, get to the bottom of it we will continue to live under this cloud,” she said.

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