Foreign interference commissioner seeks to reassure diaspora groups anxious about inquiry

The commissioner leading the public inquiry into foreign interference said Thursday the inquiry has taken steps toprotectmembers of diaspora groups who say they fear for their safety if they participate.

"Some members of diaspora communities have told us that they fear reprisals if they provide information to the commission," Justice Marie-Jose Hogue said in a media statement.

TheCanadian Friends of Hong Kong(CFHK) announced earlier this week it would be boycotting the commission. And last month, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Projectwithdrew from the inquiry's proceedings entirely.

"We have grave concerns regarding the objectivity and the security integrity of the Foreign Interference Commission Inquiry, primarily due to standing being granted to individuals suspected to have strong ties to Chinese Consulatesand their proxies," the CFHK wrote in a statement posted to its Facebook page.

The organization cited the participation of Independent MP Han Dong, who quit the Liberal caucus after a story by Global News last year alleged hehad told a senior Chinese diplomat that Beijing should not freeCanadian prisonersMichaelSpavorand MichaelKovrig. Dong has denied the allegation and is pursuing Global legally.

The CFHKalso named Sen.YuenPauWoo and former Ontario LiberalMPPMichael Chan, who also deny allegations of ties to China.

The commission granted Dong and Chan full party standing, and Woo intervenor status.

"By granting standing to individuals with alleged ties to the Chinese embassy, we are potentially offering incredible insight to our adversaries, enabling them to design and execute more effective interference operations," the CFHK said.

CFHK'scomplaints followed two official requests from a coalition representing various human rights groups asking that the commission withdraw standing from Dong, Chan and Woo.The commission turned them down.

Hoguesaidthe commission has created a confidential email address with "strict controls in place to protect the confidentiality of any information provided" and said participants can testify and produce documents in privatewhen necessary.

She also said the commission has "the ability, in appropriate circumstances, to redact sensitive information from documents before they are provided to the commission."

Hogue added the commission "must reach out to all those with a real and direct interest in the subject of the inquiry. This includes those who are the subject of the core allegations of foreign interference that this Commission is tasked with investigating."

She said it's"essential" for the commission to hear "different, and even divergent, points of view before drawing its own conclusions."