(Ottawa) More details have been released in Ottawa on the tenure and compensation of former Governor General David Johnston, whom Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed “special rapporteur” to investigate allegations of foreign interference during the last two federal elections.
Executive orders released this week show Johnston will receive between $1,400 and $1,600 a day, while working part-time, beginning March 15 until December 12, 2023.
The Prime Minister’s Office had previously announced that Mr. Johnston would have access to classified national security documents during his tenure, that he would report by May 23 on whether or not a public inquiry was needed, that he would he would provide regular reports to Mr. Trudeau and that he would publish his final report at the end of October.
Its mandate includes assessing the extent and impact of foreign interference in Canada’s electoral process and reviewing the federal government’s response to threats during the last two elections – including up to how much Mr. Trudeau had been informed of it.
Mr. Johnston is also responsible for making recommendations on how to deal with the alleged interference.
Beyond access to secret documents, the newly released executive order specifies that Mr. Johnston will also have access, “if necessary in his estimation”, to documents protected by cabinet confidentiality. He is also authorized to speak with senior government and political party officials.
The executive order documents also state that the government will pay for any travel or living expenses Mr. Johnston incurs outside of his usual place of residence, while he remains in Canada. The cost of expert staff, “as needed”, and “any other reasonable expenses” will also be covered.
Details of his appointment come to light as members of a parliamentary committee say they are still awaiting information on exactly when Prime Minister Trudeau was told about Beijing’s alleged interference in the 2019 federal election and of 2021.
MPs on the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs have sent a letter to Canada’s top civil servant, the Clerk of the Privy Council, following up on their previous request for answers.
The letter, obtained by La Presse Canadienne, was signed by Conservative, Bloc and New Democrat MPs on the committee.
Jody Thomas, the prime minister’s national security adviser, told the committee early last month that she would disclose the dates on which Mr. Trudeau received updates from intelligence services on allegations of alleged interference. in Canadian elections.
But the signatories to the letter maintain that no such information has been provided since that time, and they accuse the officials of a deliberate effort to obstruct the work of the committee on foreign interference.
They write that they would like to receive the information before the next testimony of the prime minister’s chief of staff, Katie Telford, who is scheduled to appear before the committee next week.
