Trudeau told ‘no action should be taken’ on alleged Han Dong nomination irregularities

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was told in September 2019 about alleged “irregularities” in Han Dong’s nomination in Don Valley North, but a senior Party member advised against taking action based on the intelligence available at the time.

Trudeau was first briefed on Sept. 30, 2019 – one day before the Liberal leader could replace Dong as their candidate in the GTA riding – according to one of his longest-serving staffers.

Jeremy Broadhurst, who served as the Liberals’ 2019 campaign manager, told a public inquiry into foreign interference Tuesday that he briefed the prime minister about potential Chinese influence in Dong’s 2019 nomination contest in Don Valley North.

The briefing occurred 22 days ahead of the 2019 general election — and one day before the Liberals could change their nominee.

Intelligence officials from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) told Liberal party representatives, including Broadhurst, about  allegations of foreign interference by China in the Don Valley North Liberal nomination race, which Broadhurst relayed to Trudeau two days later after the leader got back to Ottawa following a week of campaigning.

The information included allegations of “buses being used to bring international students to the nomination process, in support of Han Dong, at the direction of PRC officials in Canada.”

Based on the intelligence, however, Broadhurst advised against taking action to replace Dong — a suggestion that Trudeau ultimately accepted.

“I determined that this was something that I did need to be brought to the attention of the prime minister,” testified Broadhurst.

“I provided (Trudeau) with information based on the information that we had on the time and based on what I thought what should be an