Liberals want leadership rules tightened against foreign interference

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OTTAWA — Liberal MPs spent Wednesday behind closed doors pressing their party to change its rules so that only citizens and permanent residents can vote for its next leader, which they argue is necessary to guard against the threat of foreign interference.

Eligibility was one of the factors caucus discussed about the terms of the imminent race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who faced his caucus for the first time that day since announcing on Monday he would be resigning as party leader and prime minister once his successor was chosen.

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The timing of exactly when that will happen remains unclear, with the party’s national board set to meet on Thursday to determine the rules for the upcoming race, including the deadline for memberships, the entry fee for candidates, and what timeline prospective campaigns will have to organize and fundraise.

Trudeau has suspended Parliament until March 24 while his party chooses a new leader. Many Liberal MPs say the party must hold an expedited contest to ensure the new leader, the next prime minister, has time to prepare before the House of Commons resumes, with some suggesting he or she be in that role no later than early March.

Opposition parties have warned they intend to vote no-confidence in the minority Liberals as quickly as possible to topple the government, which would send the new Liberal leader on the campaign trail after possibility being in the role for only a matter of days or weeks.

Heading into Wednesday’s meeting, which lasted for six hours, many Liberal MPs said while the party must move quickly while also ensuring it protects the leadership race from the risk of meddling by foreign actors, a risk many feel may exist should the Liberals not change its rules to allow only citizens and permanent residents to vote.

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As it stands, a Liberal membership requires that someone be at least 14 years old. It does not mention the need to be a citizen or have permanent resident status, opening the door for international students and others in Canada on a temporary basis to potentially vote. There is no fee required to join.

“What I can tell you is a lot of us raised the issue and raised the concern about making sure that this race for leader is absolutely secure,” said Taleeb Noormohamed, who represents Vancouver Granville and is the B.C. caucus chair. 

“Concerns related to membership from non-citizens and non (permanent residents) was absolutely something that came up.”

Liberal Party of Canada president Sachit Mehra attended the meeting, but left without taking questions from reporters. The party’s national director, Azam Ishmael, was also in the meeting. 

Noormohamed declined to say whether caucus was provided any assurances the rules would change, but said he feels their points were heard. 

“Anyone sitting in that room would have heard those concerns and taken seriously.”

The Liberal party is the first federal party to hold a leadership contest after concerns about China and India meddling in Canadian elections broke open, leading Trudeau’s government to call a public inquiry following months of pressure. 

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Justice Marie-Josee Hogue is set to release her final report on the foreign interference inquiry by Jan. 31, which means it will land smack in the middle of the Liberals’ contest.

Party spokesman Parker Lund said information about the leadership race would be provided once the rules have been decided.

“Protecting the integrity of our democratic process is a foremost priority of the party,” said Lund.

He also defended the membership criteria in an earlier statement, saying that Liberals have “built the most open and inclusive movement in Canadian politics,” not only by waiving the membership fee but by “expanding participation in our movement, both with respect to age and citizenship status.”

“Our open and inclusive process ensures we hear from more people in the communities we engage with and helps foster civic engagement with those who may one day have the privilege to vote in a federal election.” 

Ontario MP Charles Sousa said he hopes to see the party release the leadership rules quickly and hopes that they incorporate the input provided by caucus on membership rules, saying the party brass made it clear it was there to listen.

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Before the meeting, veteran Liberal MP Judy Sgro said it was vital the party had a “solid, transparent and safe process,” to pick a new leader.

“I think you need to be a Canadian citizen, definitely a permanent resident.”

Toronto MP and former public safety minister Marco Mendicino, who recently announced he would not be seeking re-election, said he was also “extremely concerned” about ensuring the integrity of the race.

“At the end of the day we’ve got to be sure that we have a process that is efficient, but that is also very open and transparent.”

With files from Catherine Lévesque

National Post
staylor@postmedia.com

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