Details of the CSIS report came to light on May 1, when Canada's
China sought information about Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong and his family in China in a likely effort to "make an example" of him and deter others from taking anti-Chinese government position.The Globe, citing an unnamed national-security source, said Zhao was involved in gathering information about Chong, who in 2021 sponsored a successful motion declaring China's treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority genocide.
Chong said he was "profoundly disappointed" to find out about the potential threat to his family in Hong Kong from a newspaper, and criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government for inaction. He repeatedly called for Zhao's expulsion since the Globe report.blamed the spy agencyThe agency has now been directed to immediately pass on information about threats to members of parliament and their families, Trudeau said on Wednesday.
Canadian media outlets have published several reports, citing anonymous intelligence sources, alleging schemes run by the Chinese government to interfere in Canada's last two elections. Beijing has denied those allegations. Trudeau has previously said China attempted to meddle in the 2019 and 2021 votes, but that the efforts did not change the outcome. He has appointed anDiplomatic tensions between Canada and China have been running high since the detention of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou in 2018 and Beijing's subsequent arrest of two Canadians on spying charges. All three were freed in 2021.