NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s proposal for Canada-India Committee of Parliamentarians, shot down by Liberal dissent

The NDP’s proposal for a Canada-India committee was modelled on the existing Canada-China committee of parliamentarians, which was created to conduct hearings to examine and review all aspects of the Canada-People's Republic of China relationship, including diplomatic, consular, and security aspects.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh / NDP

The New Democratic Party's (NDP) proposal to establish a Canada-India committee of parliamentarians has been rejected by a Liberal dissent.

The party leader, Jagmeet Singh, introduced a private member's bill during the ongoing session of the House of Commons “to dig into India’s efforts to interfere in Canada’s democracy.” Jagmeet Singh has been very vocal on the issue of India’s political interference in Canada.

“Every party in the House of Commons must show the government of India that we are a united front. That a government like Narendra Modi’s cannot find an ally in this Parliament willing to look the other way, and that we all take foreign interference incredibly seriously,” said NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. “I’m calling for the creation of a Canada-India committee so parliamentarians can look in this important matter and propose additional steps the government can take to protect Canadians and our country.”

The NDP’s proposal for a Canada-India committee was modelled on the existing Canada-China committee of parliamentarians, which was created to conduct hearings to examine and review all aspects of the Canada-People's Republic of China relationship, including diplomatic, consular, and security aspects.

When the proposal was put to vote, it was shot down by a Liberal dissent. For a private member's bill to be carried forward, it has to be approved unanimously.

A couple of weeks ago, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) revealed intelligence indicating that India was behind not only electoral interference but also violent crimes, extortions and homicides on Canadian soil, said Jagmeet Singh.

Following that, Jagmeet Singh said, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified at the Hogue inquiry into foreign interference that there were a number of compromised Conservative MPs and candidates named in intelligence documents only available to Pierre Poilievre if he obtained that clearance. Jagmeet Singh has called on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to stop refusing to apply for security clearance.

Jgameet Singh had also earlier called for an emergency debate on India in the House of Commons besides giving a call for an emergency meeting of the Public Safety Committee last week. The emergency debate and the meeting of the Public Safety Committee were held where serious concerns were raised not only about the alleged Indian interference but also about the reluctance of the Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to take the high-security clearance.

Jagmeet Singh also wanted the Canadian government to work with allies including the United States and the United Kingdom to put diplomatic sanctions in place and to ban the extremist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Network.

“The Canada I believe in is one where people can walk the streets without fear. Where we are all safe at home. Where families never have to wonder if violent, dangerous gang members could be in their neighbourhood. And where all Canadians feel confident that elections are by and for Canadians only.

“Canadians have been hurt. Canadians have been killed. This is not a time for politics. It’s a time for a team Canada approach. It is time to put Canadian safety and Canadian security first,” he said.