This is the kind of thing that brings down governments and destroys political parties. Everything is at stake. The legitimacy of our entire system is now in question.
There are small scandals. There are medium scandals. There are big scandals.
And then, there’s this:
“Liberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two Michaels: sources”
That is the headline of a new Global News report by Sam Cooper – who has being doing amazing reporting for years on China’s actions against our nation.
Here is an excerpt:
“Liberal MP Han Dong, who is at the centre of Chinese influence allegations, privately advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that Beijing should hold off freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, according to two separate national security sources.
Both sources said Dong allegedly suggested to Han Tao, China’s consul general in Toronto, that if Beijing released the “Two Michaels,” whom China accused of espionage, the Opposition Conservatives would benefit.”
You can view a short video version of the report here:
“In Feb. 2021, LPC MP Han Dong allegedly advised China’s Consul General in Toronto that Beijing should hold off on immediately freeing the two Michaels because he believed their release would benefit the CPC, as per 2 independent national security sources who spoke with @samcooper”
In Feb. 2021, LPC MP Han Dong allegedly advised China’s Consul General in Toronto that Beijing should hold off on immediately freeing the two Michaels because he believed their release would benefit the CPC, as per 2 independent national security sources who spoke with @samcooper pic.twitter.com/EaqTmAFkOd
— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) March 22, 2023
If true, this is absolutely horrific. Dong has denied the allegations, admitting that he spoke to the Consul General but saying he called for the release of the Two Michaels:
“In an emailed statement to Global News sent Tuesday, Dong confirmed that he had a discussion with Consul General Han, but disputed that he initiated it and also denies that he advised Beijing to delay releasing Kovrig and Spavor from prison.
“I raised the status of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig and called for their immediate release,” he wrote.
According to the report, the PMO claims they only found out about this from “media questions.” That could be an attempt to distance themselves from Dong.
However, Trudeau has repeatedly defended Dong in the past, and said it was wrong to question the allegiance any MP has to this country:
“I want to make everyone understand fully that Han Dong is an outstanding member of our team and suggestions that he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained.”
Outrage
This news story has generated 100% justified outrage. If the story is true (Dong denies the allegations) and an MP from the governing party spoke to a hostile foreign power and advocated against the release of two Canadian Citizens, and if the Prime Minister has repeatedly defended that MP, that brings our entire government into question. It brings the entire system into question. Who is the government working for? How can we trust them? Why should the government have any influence over us if the PM is perceived as not loyal to our nation and our people? These are the questions Canadians will be asking.
As I noted on Twitter, in a normal country this is the kind of thing that brings down governments:
“This is the kind of thing that – in a normal country that hasn’t been fully compromised by a hostile foreign power – would bring down the government and destroy the political party involved in it. What the hell is going on?”
This is the kind of thing that – in a normal country that hasn’t been fully compromised by a hostile foreign power – would bring down the government and destroy the political party involved in it. What the hell is going on? https://t.co/Az3uFlD8D1
— Spencer Fernando 🇨🇦 (@SpencerFernando) March 22, 2023
Here’s what many people are saying about it:
Nothing to see here just breaking news saying that a Liberal MP allegedly said that if Beijing released the two Michaels, the conservatives would benefit.
He played politics with two Canadian citizens lives
— Jennifer Elle (@jenniferelle_) March 22, 2023
I’m sick. I can’t imagine how the families feel about this.
— Josie (@canadian_josie) March 22, 2023
How is Justin Trudeau still the Prime Minister of Canada… it boggles the mind of Canadians common sense https://t.co/maqlK9MnsU
— cview (@cdn_view) March 22, 2023
Allegedly a Canadian Liberal MP helped keep two innocent Canadians incarcerated because it would be expedient for the Liberal fucking party.
Sorry Justin, your Uncle Johnston can't cover this up for you.
Some heads need to roll & we need a full public inquiry now!#cdnpoli
— Cory Morgan (@CoryBMorgan) March 22, 2023
Han Dong said he advocated for the release of the two Michaels “at every opportunity before they returned home.”
For what it’s worth, I found only one tweet about them — after they were released. pic.twitter.com/t5qxNryv9e
— Andrew Lawton (@AndrewLawton) March 22, 2023
As our citizens were being held hostage by China, a Liberal MP is alleged to have advised China to keep them imprisoned to aid in the reelection of the Trudeau government.
Canada, have we not had enough yet? #Cdnpolihttps://t.co/zjMQN2GQkT
— David Jacobs (@DrJacobsRad) March 22, 2023
Absolutely extraordinary.
This leak may compromise a specific technical or, less likely, human source, but the act it alleges is beyond the pale.
Though it may not meet the CC defn for treason, it would still be a shocking betrayal of the country. https://t.co/d995bdv2DK
— Andrew Scheidl 🇺🇦 (@AndrewScheidl) March 22, 2023
Respectfully to Maher’s point, this about far more than Han Dong
If our security services knew enough that sources could brief @scoopercooper, you’d better believe they have also briefed the PMO
It puts the extent the Liberals have gone to shield Telford in a whole new light https://t.co/r6TLJesUKd
— David Tarrant (@davidptarrant) March 22, 2023
I encourage you to do everything you can to spread the word about this story. Canadians need to know what is happening, and need to know that our democracy and government are at stake. Justin Trudeau’s repeated defence of Han Dong, and Trudeau’s attacks on those who tried to stand up for Canadian democracy are an absolute disgrace, and all Canadians need to stand up for our democratic institutions.
Spencer Fernando
