Premier David Eby says neither the RCMP nor Canada's spy agency have ever raised concerns about his cabinet or caucus, after Vancouver's ex-mayor said a minister was being investigated for collaborating with China's government.
Eby said Tuesday that he has "had multiple briefings with CSIS, with the RCMP" and none pointed to any concerns about any member of the government, and if there were, he would have removed that person from cabinet.
The premier was responding in question period after being asked about the comments by Kennedy Stewart on Monday that federal lawyers interviewed him about a B.C. cabinet minister who he said was under investigation.
Stewart, who was Vancouver's mayor from 2018 to 2022, told CKNW's Jas Johal show that Eby and other cabinet members were aware of the investigation.
The former mayor, who was also an MP for the federal NDP for seven years, didn't name the minister he said was under investigation.
But he said he immediately alerted government officials when he confirmed their identity after his interview with federal lawyers.
He said he made sure the information got "to the top of the chain," but nothing had happened since.
Stewart, who could not immediately be contacted for further comment, said Chinese interference in Canadian politics had become a "serious problem both at the civic level, and now at the provincial government level."
He said he was taking a risk in talking about the investigation, because he signed a non-disclosure agreement, although he didn't say with whom.
He said "the reason why you are not hearing about this kind of stuff, is because people are worried about getting sued."
The RCMP said in a statement that it "does not confirm the identity of any person, business or entity, who may be subject to an investigation until such time as charges have been laid."
Government house leader Mike Farnworth said questions about whether a cabinet minister was being investigated for collaborating with China were "absolutely ridiculous."
Farnworth said that, "if any members of cabinet or caucus was under investigation by the RCMP or CSIS, they would not be in cabinet and they would not be in caucus."
Stewart has previously raised concerns about Chinese meddling in municipal politics, while Mayor Ken Sim, who defeated Stewart in 2022, has rejected "insinuations" that he benefited from such interference.
A Globe and Mail report said at the time that Canadian officials were concerned the Chinese consulate in Vancouver interfered in the city election.
Stewart was being interviewed on CKNW on Monday in relation to a report that Chinese consular officials tried to get city officials to cancel dance performances of Shen Yun at city-run Queen Elizabeth Theatre last month. The show is connected to Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned by the Chinese government.
A statement from the City of Vancouver confirmed on Tuesday that a staff member met Chinese consulate representatives in early April. "During this meeting, a range of cultural topics were discussed, including the Shen Yun production," it said of the meeting that was first reported by Global News.
The statement said Vancouver Civic Theatres "does not censor or limit lawful freedom of expression within its venues."
Last month, Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts cancelled a Shun Yun show after receiving bomb threats.
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
