Michael Chan, MPP

MarkhamUnionville

August 7, 2015

Statement from Michael Chan

I have filed a Statement of Claim against The Globe and Mail. On June 22, 2015 I said I
would pursue all legal remedies to restore my good name and mitigate the damage
caused to my reputation by the Globes deeply offensive personal attacks. This is the
next step in that process.
Last June, the Globe published articles that repeated 5-year-old, unfounded allegations
about me.
I regret that I have been compelled to turn to the courts, but I cannot and will not let
these unfounded attacks and allegations go unanswered. The Globe and Mail has
declined to retract their unfounded allegations about me and, to protect my reputation, I
have no choice but to pursue a legal remedy.
This has been a difficult time for me and my family. I want to thank the many people
who have spoken up in my defence and offered their support.
Since these stories were published, I have given a great deal of thought to the impact
the unfounded allegations against me will have in the immigrant communities of
Canada. The Globes stories tell newer Canadians that their loyalty to Canada could be
questioned. This is dangerous and wrong. Maintaining deep, meaningful connections
with ones culture, with ones country of origin, is something millions of Canadians
cherish. Our strong, personal ties around the world are a good thing they are an
integral part of the foundation of Canada and Ontario.
I am deeply honoured to represent the people of Markham-Unionville as their Member
of Provincial Parliament. Everything I have done has been to serve the best interests of
the Province of Ontario, and my constituents. I have tried to be an example to all
Canadians who believe in the value of public service.
I am humbled that I, a newer Canadian who came here as a nineteen year old with
nothing, have been chosen to serve as a Minister of the Crown.

I want to encourage new Canadians to take an active role in public life. I want them to
embrace what it means to be Canadian. They should not be discouraged from
participating in our great democracy. Canada needs a contribution from all citizens, and
Canadians should be able to participate in public life without having their loyalty to
Canada questioned.
My personal goal in this litigation is to clear my name and restore my reputation; I will
donate any amount awarded to me by the court to PEN Canada and the Markham
Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
I firmly believe in the eventual fairness of our court system. As this lawsuit begins, I will
have a limited opportunity to publicly comment in the future. It may be that the Globe
and Mail will advance a vigorous defence, and even go so far as to repeat their
allegations against me. It may not be until trial and trial may be years away that I am
finally vindicated. I want to thank my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues for
their ongoing support.

Michael Chan

For more information please contact John Chapman of Miller Thomson LLP.

Key allegations contained in the Statement of Claim

The Globes articles revealed no new material facts despite their claim that their
stories were the result of a 10-month investigation.
The articles ran on the front page and were little more than a re-hash of ludicrous
allegations published and debunked five years ago. In fact, in 2010 the Globe & Mail
properly called the suggestions reckless, foolish and contradictory. (Globe & Mail,
June 24, 2010)
The Globes articles contain a blend of innuendo and half-suggestions. They wrote a
story to fit a narrative, instead of following the facts and reporting them. And the Globe
got the story wrong.
The theory of the Globes story is that CSIS had such serious concerns about Michael
Chan that they secretly contacted the Government of Ontario to issue a formal
caution.
It was the Ontario Government who initiated contact with CSIS, not the other way
around. Ontario requested more information about statements made by the former head
of CSIS, and CSIS responded to Ontarios request by meeting with the Secretary to the
Ontario Cabinet. This was reported by the Toronto Star and others at the time, and it
was correctly reported that the meeting occurred at Ontarios request.
After this meeting, the former Premiers office said that nothing substantial was provided
to support the former head of CSISs statements. (Toronto Star, October 15th, 2010)
It is public knowledge that Ontario called on CSIS to explain former Director Faddens
comments, and it is surprising that the Globes exhaustive 10-month investigation did
not uncover this.