Only citizens and permanent residents vote in leadership: Liberal MPs

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OTTAWA — Liberal MPs say the party must change the rules so only citizens and permanent residents can vote for its new leader, which they argue is necessary to guard against the threat of foreign interference.

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, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to call a public inquiry following months of pressure. 

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“I can tell you on behalf of the caucus in British Columbia, this is a very real concern,” said Taleeb Noormohamed, who represents Vancouver Granville and is the province’s caucus chair. 

“We intend to explain not just why it’s important, but the message that it sends to Canadians of ensuring that it’s Canadians who are hopefully going to become Canadians (permanent residents) who will only be the ones who have that ability.”

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 Liberal contest to replace Trudeau, who announced on Monday he was resigning as both party leader and prime minister.

The inquiry heard of meddling allegations in multiple leadership and nomination contests, with the Liberals, Conservatives and New Democrats outlining their membership rules. The Liberals require voters to be at least 14 years old, but they do not have to be a citizen or a permanent resident.

Liberal MPs planned to raise that as a concern when they met to talk about the leadership race rules for the first time on Wednesday, with many saying they believe voting should be restricted to those who are Canadians or have permanent resident status.

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The MPs were anticipating to hear from party brass on details about the upcoming contest.

Liberal party spokesman Parker Lund said information about the leadership race would be provided once the rules have been decided. The party’s national executive was also set to meet this week.

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

He 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.” 

Veteran Liberal MP Judy Sgro told reporters on Wednesday 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.”

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Toronto MP and former public safety minister Marco Mendicino said he’s “extremely concerned” about the issue and hopes the party protects the integrity of its internal process amid threats of foreign interference.

“I am turning my mind to it. I know that the party is as well,” he said on Wednesday.

“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,” he said.

Chris Bittle, a Liberal MP for St. Catharines, Ont., said he also intended to raise the issue of foreign interference. Public Safety Minister David McGuinty told reporters the party’s national executive would look into the matter.

Toronto MP Rob Oliphant, who was first elected in 2008, said the decision around rules will ultimately be left to the party’s board to decide, but expressed a hope it would take the advice of caucus, individuals who he said “live and eat and breathe the party.”

“We want to talk to them about both the timelines and making sure that we have an expedited process because we need a leader in place very early in March, at the latest.”

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With files from Catherine Lévesque

National Post
staylor@postmedia.com

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