Trudeau says there’s intelligence on Tories ‘engaged’ in foreign interference

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Wednesday that Canadian intelligence agencies have information that multiple Conservative politicians are “engaged” or at risk from foreign interference schemes.

In shocking testimony at the foreign interference commission Wednesday morning, Trudeau took aim at Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for refusing top secret briefings on a national security threat that allegedly has penetrated his own party.

“Because I am prime minister and privy to all these informations, I have the names of a number of parliamentarians, former parliamentarians and/or candidates in the Conservative Party of Canada who are engaged or are at high risk of or for whom there is clear intelligence around foreign interference,” Trudeau told the commission’s lawyers.

“And I have directed CSIS and others to try and inform the Conservative Party leader to be warned and armed to be able to make decisions that protect the integrity of that party and its members from attempts at foreign activities around foreign interference.”

“The decision by the leader of the Conservative Party to not get those classified briefings means that nobody in his party, not him, and nobody in a position of power knows the names of these individuals and can take appropriate action,” Trudeau added.

1:44 Blair denies knowing about spy warrant delay

Trudeau is testifying as the inquiry finishes the latest phase of its work.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The commission of inquiry is looking at the ability of institutions to detect and fend off the attempts of hostile states to meddle in Canadian affairs.

Over the last several weeks it has heard from senior bureaucrats, police and intelligence officials, cabinet ministers and members of diaspora communities.

Trudeau returns to the inquiry after appearing in April during its initial phase, which looked at allegations of meddling in the last two general elections.

The prime minister’s latest testimony comes just days after Canada ordered six Indian diplomats out of the country, and India swiftly retaliated with the expulsion of Canadian diplomats.

The inquiry plans five days of policy consultation sessions beginning next Monday to help develop recommendations, with a final report due by the end of the year.

With files from The Canadian Press.