Foreign interference inquiry, back for 2nd round, to look at whether Ottawa able to protect elections [Video]

How can the federal government prevent other countries from trying to meddle in Canada’s elections?

That will be the focus as the public inquiry into foreign interference begins its second phase of hearings on Monday.

To get the answer to that question, the inquiry is expected to hear from more than 60 witnesses over the next five weeks, including members of Parliament, cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The inquiry, headed by Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, was set up following media reports that accused China of interfering in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.

In her initial report, made public in May, Hogue found that while it was possible that foreign interference occurred in a small number of ridings, she concluded it did not affect the overall election results.

In its second phase, the inquiry will focus on just how equipped the government is to combat foreign interference in …