Most Canadians think MPs accused of foreign interference should be named, charged and jailed: poll

The vast majority of Canadians think MPs accused of being participants in foreign interference operations inside Canada should be named and, if guilty, jailed, a new poll has found.

According to Nanos’ survey, 65 per cent of respondents said MPs found to be “interfering in our democracy … on behalf of a foreign country” should be charged.

A slightly larger proportion – 68 per cent – said MPs accused of such acts should be publicly named and made to explain themselves.

Last month, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) tabled a report on foreign interference in Canada.

Some of its claims – including that MPs worked with foreign agents to undermine Canada’s democracy – have sent shockwaves through society.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh branded the MPs “traitors,” while Kelowna–Lake Country’s Tory MP, Tracy Gray, blamed Justin Trudeau for the scandal.

According to the Nanos poll, 87 per cent of people polled said it was either “not appropriate” or “somewhat not appropriate” for Canadian lawmakers to “advocate on behalf of a foreign power.”

Seven per cent, however, said it was either “appropriate” or “somewhat appropriate.”

A large majority – 92 per cent – of respondents also expressed support for the creation of a government registry that would require people working on behalf of a foreign government to disclose that information.

Another large majority (89 per cent) said only Canadian citizens should be allowed to vote in the candidate selection process that takes place in ridings across the country before an election.

Presently, parties run their own nomination processes.

The poll was conducted by phone and online between June 28 and July 3, with 1,018 Canadian adults taking part.

Thumbnail photo credit: Parliament of Canada