The Canadian government summoned China’s ambassador today to discuss allegations of Beijing bullying a Canadian lawmaker who had criticized the Chinese regime, and Ottawa may also respond by expelling diplomats.

“My deputy secretary is preparing to meet with the Chinese ambassador, we have invited him,” Foreign Secretary Melanie Jolie told a parliamentary committee.

“We are evaluating different options, including expelling diplomats,” added the Canadian foreign minister.

Conservative MP Michael Chong and his family, who live in Hong Kong, have reportedly come under pressure because of the MP’s criticism of Beijing.

Opposition MPs demanded this week that the government take responsibility for the controversial case.

The Globe and Mail published a scathing report Monday that found the government turned a blind eye to Beijing’s meddling in Canada’s affairs.

Citing classified documents and an unnamed security source, the newspaper said China’s intelligence service had targeted Chong and his associates because they voted in February 2021 for a proposal that equates China’s treatment of the Chinese minority. Uighurs with “genocide”.

This was done “definitely to make an example of this particular MP and to discourage other MPs from adopting hostile positions” towards China, according to a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) document.

An employee of the Chinese consulate in Toronto is said to be involved in this case.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increasing pressure to raise his tone on Beijing after revelations that China tried to influence the results of the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections. The accusations, which Beijing has denied, are the subject of parliamentary committee hearings and investigations by Electoral Canada.

Federal police have also dismantled several illegal Chinese police stations in Canada, allegedly set up to harass Chinese expatriates.

“We have never sought to interfere in Canada’s internal affairs and have no interest in doing so,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning shot back in response to accusations of lobbying against Chong.