Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, a former contender for the Conservative Party leadership, stated on Monday that he has no evidence to suggest foreign interference affected the outcome of the 2022 Conservative leadership race. Brown’s comments follow a CBC report alleging attempts by Indian government agents to undermine his campaign.
The report, citing multiple sources, claimed that campaign volunteers were pressured to withdraw support for Brown, and some invitations to community events were rescinded. In his statement, Brown emphasized the seriousness of foreign interference in Canadian democracy but asserted that it did not alter the leadership race results.
“Like all Canadians, I take the issue of foreign interference in our democracy very seriously. It is a critical matter that warrants thorough investigation,” Brown said. “I have no reason to believe that such interference altered the final outcome of the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership race.”
Brown was disqualified from the leadership race in 2022 over allegations of violating the party’s financing rules.
Allegations Against MP Michelle Rempel Garner Denied
The CBC report also claimed that Calgary MP Michelle Rempel Garner faced pressure from Indian officials to end her support for Brown. However, her chief of staff, Sean Schnell, refuted these claims, calling them “false and defamatory.”
“MP Rempel Garner was not, and never has been, coerced by any official of any foreign government in any matter,” Schnell stated.
Summons to Testify at Parliamentary Committee
Brown has been called to testify before the parliamentary committee on public safety, which is investigating alleged foreign interference by Indian agents in Canada. Initially reluctant to attend, Brown has now agreed to comply, though he expressed concerns about the summons.
“I have no new evidence to contribute to the committee’s proceedings and am concerned that my appearance has been sought for political reasons rather than matters of substantive policy,” Brown said. “While I maintain my objection to the committee’s summons, I understand and will comply with my legal obligation to appear.”
The inquiry is examining claims of political interference and acts of violence allegedly linked to foreign agents, including the Indian government. A report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) earlier this year cited interference from both India and China in the 2022 leadership race.
Calls for Comprehensive Inquiry
Brown noted that the broader foreign interference inquiry, led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, is the appropriate platform to address these issues but clarified that he has not been asked to testify in that process.
The issue of foreign interference continues to draw significant attention in Canadian politics, with calls for greater scrutiny of foreign influence on domestic political affairs.
