Conservative Party Leadership candidate Michael Chong, addresses crowd at the Conservative Party of Canada's final televised debate in Toronto, Ontario, April 26, 2017.
REUTERS/Fred Thornhill/File PhotoAug 9 (Reuters) - Canada said on Wednesday that an opposition Canadian legislator with family in Hong Kong had been targeted in an online disinformation operation and said China most likely played a role.
In a statement, the Canadian foreign ministry said the target was Michael Chong, a member of the opposition Conservative party, a frequent critic of China who has drawn Beijing's ire.
"While China's role in the information operation is highly probable, unequivocal proof that China ordered and directed the operation is not possible to determine," the statement said.
The Globe and Mail newspaper, citing an intelligence report, said in May that China sought information about Chong and his family in China in a likely effort to "make an example" of him.
Persons:
Michael Chong, Fred Thornhill, Chong, Kanishka Singh, David Ljunggren, Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis, Andy Sullivan, David Gregorio Our
Organizations:
Conservative, Conservative Party, REUTERS, Ottawa, Beijing, Globe, Mail, Canadian, Thomson
Locations:
Toronto , Ontario, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Canada's, Beijing, Washington, Ottawa