Source articles

Global News, “Former Vancouver mayor alleges a B.C. cabinet minister is under investigation,” May 4, 2026 — read the article. The Canadian Press, “Eby hits back at claim B.C. minister is under investigation for helping China,” May 5, 2026 — read the article.

Former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart put a major accountability question directly in front of Premier David Eby this week. On CKNW’s Jas Johal show, Stewart alleged that he had been interviewed for several hours by lawyers working for the federal government about a current B.C. cabinet minister he said was under investigation for collaborating with China’s government.

Stewart did not name the minister. No charges have been reported. The allegation remains unproven. But it cannot be waved away as ordinary partisan noise. Stewart is a former federal NDP MP, a former Vancouver mayor, and someone who has publicly raised concerns about foreign interference before.

What is confirmed — and what is not

Global News reported that Stewart said he had alerted senior B.C. NDP officials and believed the Premier and many cabinet members were aware of the matter. The Canadian Press later reported Eby’s response in the legislature: the Premier said neither the RCMP nor CSIS had raised concerns with him about his cabinet or caucus, and said he would remove a cabinet member if such a concern were brought forward.

The RCMP, according to the Canadian Press report, said it does not confirm the identity of any person, business or entity that may be subject to an investigation until charges are laid. Government house leader Mike Farnworth called the suggestion “absolutely ridiculous” and said that if a cabinet or caucus member were under investigation by the RCMP or CSIS, they would not be in cabinet or caucus.

Public record snapshot

  • Allegation: Kennedy Stewart said a current B.C. cabinet minister was under investigation over alleged collaboration with China’s government.
  • Limits: Stewart did not name the minister and no charges have been reported.
  • Eby response: Eby said RCMP and CSIS briefings had not raised concerns about any government caucus or cabinet member.
  • RCMP position: Police do not confirm identities of possible investigation subjects before charges are laid.

The accountability problem

The NDP government’s answer may eventually prove correct. But the question does not disappear because the Premier denies receiving a warning from police or intelligence agencies. Stewart specifically claimed political officials were alerted. That is a separate accountability question: who was told, when, what was done with the information, and what process exists when allegations touch cabinet-level access to sensitive government material?

This story also lands in a wider context. Global News has reported that Chinese consular officials met with a Vancouver city hall employee in April about Shen Yun performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The City of Vancouver confirmed a meeting occurred, while saying its theatres do not censor lawful expression.

The bottom line: when a former NDP MP and former Vancouver mayor makes an allegation involving a sitting cabinet minister, foreign interference, and claimed notice to senior NDP officials, British Columbians deserve a clean, factual timeline. Eby’s government should provide one.