Han Dong, a former Liberal MP, claims that the party informed him that they would be fielding another candidate. As a result, he will not run for re-election. Dong, the independent member for Don Valley North, says he’s “disappointed” that he won’t be running in the upcoming race. However, he said he didn’t want to split the vote in the safe Liberal riding so the party could have the best chance of winning. On March 22, 2023, alleged details about Dong’s interactions with the Chinese consulate in Toronto were reported by Global News, citing unidentified national security sources. Since June 2023, his party and Dong reportedly discussed returning to caucus. According to a statement that was shared on social media, Dong said, “As many of you know, I had no choice but to leave the Liberal caucus about two years ago to try to clear my name in response to false accusations Global News published about me.” Dong is currently suing Global’s parent company, Corus Entertainment, and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Global reported, citing two national security sources, that Dong discussed the detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig in February 2021 without first informing the government with Han Tao, the then-China’s consul general in Toronto. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) provided a summary of the call to the recent public inquiry on foreign interference, stating that Dong “expressed the view that even if the (People’s Republic of China) released the ‘Two Michaels’ at that moment, opposition parties would view the PRC’s action as an affirmation of the effectiveness of a hardline Canadian approach to the PRC.” The allegations in the report suggested that during the course of the phone call, Dong privately advised the diplomat Dong “stressed that any transparency provided by the PRC in relation to the ‘Two Michaels,’ such as a court hearing or a court date, would help to placate Canadian public opinion and provide some valuable talking points to his own political party against the opposition,” according to the CSIS intelligence summary, which the agency described as “incomplete.” Dong stated that he did not “recall that conversation” when asked about the call while he was testifying at the inquiry of Justice Marie-Josée Hogue. However, he did say that it was “possible” that he discussed the Two Michaels. Dong went on to say that “whenever (he) talked about the’Two Michaels,'” in addition to “improving their conditions,” “he always advocated for their early release.” In her report, Hogue stated that she was unable to determine whether the CSIS public summary “accurately and fairly reflects” Dong’s Mandarin-language conversation. However, she did say that the classified information that was given to her “corroborates Mr. Dong’s repudiation of the claim that he advised the PRC to delay the release of the Two Michaels.” Former Governor General David Johnston was appointed as a “special rapporteur” on foreign interference by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau in response to political pressure. Johnston stated in May 2023 that Dong’s suggestion that the Two Michaels remain in custody was “false,” but Johnston did not interview Dong for his report. Trudeau suggested after Johnston’s report that Dong could decide whether or not to join the Liberal Party. At a Winnipeg press conference, Trudeau stated to reporters, “I look forward to conversations with Han about whether he wants to come back and whether his fight to clear his name is ongoing.” Dominic Leblanc, the minister of intergovernmental affairs at the time, told reporters in July 2023 that, in response to Trudeau’s request to speak with Dong about rejoining the Liberal caucus, he was “going through the process.” However, Dong never regained his Liberal bench seat. In accordance with a law that prohibits “strategic lawsuits” to restrict freedom of expression, lawyers for Corus Entertainment attempted to have Dong’s lawsuit dismissed in June 2024. That request was turned down by a judge in the Ontario Superior Court, who said that hearing the case was in the public interest. According to Dong’s statement, “It has been my privilege to serve the residents of (Don Valley North)” as well as “a humbling experience to work with and learn from so many hardworking leaders, volunteers of community organizations and public institutions.” A notice on the Liberal Party’s website indicated that Maggie Chi, who formerly ran for Toronto City Council and was an Ontario Liberal Party nominee, will be the federal party’s candidate in the April 28 election.
Former Liberal Han Dong ‘disappointed’ to sit out federal campaign
