Canada's elections watchdog struggles to investigate foreign interference allegations, inquiry hears

Gigou said her team has a limited ability to trace funds.The inquiry heard that the office is not a designated recipient of information from FINTRAC, the national financial intelligence agency.

Perrault testified that he was warned by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in 2019 of possible foreign interference in a Don Valley North nomination contest — but said he doesn't have the power to intervene at that level.

A Global News story, citing anonymous sources, alleged Dong was supported by Beijing in the 2019 Liberal nomination race and was "a witting affiliate" in China's election interference networks.

Before the public inquiry into foreign interference, Lawyer Gib van Ert asks Stéphane Perrault of Elections Canada about its authority to intervene when voters are bused into another riding to fraudulently cast ballots in a party's nomination contest.

Documents tabled at the inquiry confirm the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections is reviewing allegations related to the 2019 Liberal Party nomination contest in the Don Valley North riding.

The inquiry, led by Quebec Judge Marie-Josée Hogue, expects to hear evidence from more than 40 people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, members of his cabinet and party representatives.