Episode 11: Ferreri's Libelous Attack on MP Han Dong

Guest article written by Peterborough Constituent Mary R., as posted on Facebook:

This will be the most important, & hopefully the most impactful post I make on my social media platforms. 

This post MUST be shared with every constituent in MP Ferreri’s riding to show, not only how unfit she is, but how dangerous she is. She must not be re-elected. After today’s Hogue Inquiry & Foreign Interference news, my MP Michelle Ferreri should be forced to publicly apologize & step down.

I have been following this closely & finally, after close to 2 years, today’s Foreign Interference Report fully exonerates MP Han Dong, who was relentlessly harassed & attacked by Poilievre & his MPs, especially my MP Michelle Ferreri. Here she is in her role as Federal representative of all Peterborough constituents, speaking in the House of Commons:

The headline of a story published early in 2023 reads: "Liberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two Michaels: sources."

The reporter, Sam Cooper, has been notorious for not being a reliable news source, and was eventually forced to leave Global News in June 2023 with regards to this story. Further details about the reasons for Cooper's sudden departure were not forthcoming. Google ‘Sam Cooper causes lawsuits for false allegations.’ Countless articles & legal documents pop up.

“The two Michaels" as referred to by the press, detailed the story of two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were "unjustly" accused of "spying" by Beijing, according to Justin Trudeau's government. They were captured while on business & held in custody in China for 1,019 days. They were tortured throughout the length of their captivity.

Sam Cooper, the journalist who broke the story, alleged that Liberal MP Han Dong advised a senior Chinese embassy official, during a conversation in 2021, to delay the release of the two imprisoned Canadians. The story was based on claims made by two anonymous "national security" sources. Cooper’s February report also alleged Dong was a “witting affiliate” of a Chinese government effort to help him secure the Liberal nomination in Don Valley North. Cooper cited supposed intelligence and national security documents & reports that allege China attempted to influence the last two Federal elections. This was proven false.

For weeks we had to watch Dong relentlessly attacked during Question Period & in social media clips based on this false story, including those attacks by MP Michelle Ferreri. Dong repeatedly defended himself & reiterated that he had only ever advocated for the well-being of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

I recall this vividly. It was gut wrenching to watch, especially my MP's attacks as my Federal representative. Poilievre would repeatedly insinuate that it was Dong that was causing the torture of the two Michaels in captivity. It is on parliamentary record of how Poilievre went on about the suffering of the two Michaels, claiming their isolation & mistreatment by Beijing was all Han Dong’s doing. Poilievre would dramatically describe the conditions with which the two Michaels had to endure during captivity. There is protected speech in question period, but this was a blatant abuse of this privilege & went beyond extremes that have become typical of Poilievre & his sycophants like Ferreri. It was absolutely sickening.

As a result of the story and others like it, Dong left the Liberal Party caucus to sit as an independent MP. He said his presence was a distraction & the relentless (false) attacks could impact public opinion & confidence in the Liberal Party. Remember, this went on for months.

As a result of these relentless attacks, Dong said he & his family received “aggressive, hateful comments” and “death threats,” and that the situation is negatively impacting not only his family and extended family, but his staff & constituents as well. He was being called a traitor. In his culture, the loss of honour to one’s family name is one of the gravest of travesties.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended Dong as an “outstanding” Liberal MP. Trudeau encouraged those questioning Dong’s integrity to watch his speech in the House. Trudeau stated Dong was rightfully stepping out of caucus to defend himself.

Dong was likely targeted with the smear piece because he has directly raised concerns about China’s human rights record to the country’s diplomats, and that he wants an independent investigation into the documented repression of Uyghurs. China did not like Dong bringing attention to this.

Dong launched a lawsuit against Global News, their parent company Corus Entertainment, and Cooper for defamation over their reporting, I believe in June 2023. It is still before the courts. It was right after Special Rapporteur David Johnston affirmed, during his investigation, that the allegations were false. You might recall how the Right Honourable Johnston, former Governor General of Canada was relentlessly attacked by Poilievre & the Conservative Party, who accused him of being too partisan towards Trudeau. Again, this was a false attack on one of Canada’s most distinguished citizens. He stepped down due to the outcry which was overshadowing the importance of his work & Justice Hogue was appointed.

Speaking on January 28, 2025 after Justice Hogue's report was released, here is part of the CPAC interview with Ottawa Bureau Chiefs Robert Fife, from the Globe & Mail and Joel-Denis Bellavance, from La Presse. Fife, “I hope that Mr. Poilievre will show some real leadership and get a national security clearance so he can hear about some of the apparently troubling intelligence that was raised about some Conservative Party members….I just have to mention this, Han Dong, now an Independent MP, but as a Liberal MP, had sued Global Television because they had said that he had told the Chinese Consul General that the two Michaels should be kept in prison….Justice Hogue said that is absolutely false in the intelligence that she had seen… and basically exonerated him….and I imagine Global is going to have to cut a big cheque to him [referring to Dong]."

Please take the time to watch MP Han Dong’s speech in the House as he stepped down from the Liberal Party. The last 90 seconds is painful to watch. I’ll admit it made me cry the first time & again today. I always admired how MP Dong conducted himself in his role & would enjoy his impassioned speeches. I absolutely knew in my heart of hearts that he would be exonerated because his love for Canada was always palpable. Previously, I had tweeted my apologies to him for the conduct of our MP Michelle Ferreri, and did so again last night, even though I did not vote for MP Ferreri.

“The truth will protect us.” – MP Han Dong stated in his speech. And today it did just that.

Signed,

Mary R., Peterborough

Constituent of Michelle Ferreri