Fears that 'foreign interference' investigations could stoke anti-Asian sentiment
As far as the allegations about foreign interference go, the details are murky.
An anonymous source has leaked information to journalists, suggesting China has tried to influence Canadian election outcomes to help elect candidates favourable to the regime.
While official information is hard to come by, what's clear to Henry Yu, an associate professor of history at the University of British Columbia, is the target.
"Going back to accusations of Chinese money laundering, of Chinese foreign buyers being (scapegoated) for the high housing prices in B.C., there's this long trend of the accusation that China is the ill that's causing all our problems," Yu explained.
Yu also pointed to the rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic. He said with various investigations underway into whether there was foreign interference in Canadian elections, the framing of the issue – which he acknowledges is a serious one – is crucial.
That's why he and several academics released an open letter saying the allegations should be investigated but not racialized.
The letter reads in part, "We are deeply concerned that discussions of foreign interference and national security can quickly become toxic as we have already seen in the accusations that a respected Chinese Canadian senator and a newly elected mayor are agents of the Chinese government."
The letter is addressed to former governor general David Johnston, who was appointed by Ottawa to look into the concerns and determine whether a public inquiry is needed.
One of Yu's concerns is understanding why information from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service was leaked, what impact that has on the investigation.
"CSIS is not a diverse organization and they're not particularly good at gathering information about communities that speak other languages and look different," added Yu.
Last week, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, responding to reports China interfered in last year's municipal elections, said the conversation would be non-existent if he were white.
Yu agrees, noting he feels the onus is now on Canadians of Chinese descent to prove they are loyal.
"Even if Ken Sim or if I come and say, 'I'm a loyal Canadian,' once this kind of taint of suspicion and guilt by association is put on you, you're actually trying to disprove something," he added.
In Ottawa, the Liberals are under fire about what they knew – and when – about potential interference. A parliamentary committee will hear from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's chief of staff, but the Liberals have already said Katie Telford will be limited in what she can say due to security concerns.
A report with recommendations is expected from Johnston by May 23.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.