Sources say an Ontario PC MPP and a former aide to a Toronto-area Conservative MP were intermediaries in a Chinese government scheme to interfere in Canada's 2019 election.
An election interference network directed by China’s Toronto consulate allegedly involved a sitting member of the Ontario legislature, according to sources with knowledge of the investigation into Beijing’s covert efforts during the 2019 federal election.
“As the Prime Minister stated last fall, we have no information on any federal candidates receiving money from China,” Murphy wrote in a statement. It did not mention the official’s name or where they served and did not specify how much money was involved. Several sources, including a senior intelligence official with a detailed awareness of these CSIS investigations, said Ke is the provincial official.
Wei and Ke deny playing any role in the alleged network or receiving direct or indirect funding from the consulate. Frequently cited by party leaders as a strong fundraiser, Ke built his profile as a Toronto community leader before running for office.questioned Ke’s 2013 visit to China, where he allegedly attended a week-long training session for diaspora community leaders organized by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office , an organ of the CCP that has since been probed in Canadian national security cases.In response to the National Post story, Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s press secretary offered support.
“No, we are never involved in those allegations,” the unidentified CTCCO official said. “I don’t want to give my name. But don’t use those allegations without evidence.” The alleged transactions renew questions among some national security experts about loopholes in the Canadian electoral system that permit sophisticated interference networks from countries such as China, Iran and Russia to influence outcomes.
Bill Blair, the former Public Safety Minister, is the only federal official to acknowledge the 2020 PCO briefing — which concluded Xi’s United Front election interference was likely to increase in future elections.
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