The federal parties remain in a dilemma about whether the government should disclose the names of MPs who reportedly participated "intentionally" in foreign interference.

In a panel discussion during the question period aired by CTV on Sunday, MPs from the three main parties discussed why they believe the names should or should not be made public.

According to a scathing report on foreign interference in Canada – released last week by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) – there is "worrisome intelligence indicating that some parliamentarians, in the words of intelligence agencies, are 'almost intentional' or 'participating in efforts by foreign states to interfere in our politics.'

The reaction to the report was clear, with governing Liberals calling on the government to disclose the names of officials who may have aided foreign governments in interfering in Canadian affairs.

But the Liberals say they are leaving it to law enforcement.

In an email statement to CTV News, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that "there are investigations into a wide range of foreign interference in Canada, including matters that intersect with democratic institutions."

The statement also noted: "The RCMP will not provide any comment on whether there is an active criminal investigation involving any parliamentarian."

Jennifer O'Connell, Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, told CTV question period host Vassy Kapelos as part of the committee that party leaders need to obtain the necessary security clearance so they can read the full unredacted report, which will "provide them with additional insight."

She said, "If there is a list of names that has been released without context, and ensuring that any type of intelligence information is also backed up, we believe that the rule of law in this country and democracy relies on the fact that there should be this evidence," "there should be an independent investigation," adding that "this information is in the hands of law enforcement authorities."

But when pressed on why there is evidence in this case – especially considering that the RCMP has requested legislative mechanisms to be able to turn intelligence into evidence – O'Connell insisted that there are tools available for party leaders to deal with "serious allegations."

When further pressed on whether it could be inferred that the Liberal party had followed these mechanisms to exonerate its members when it comes to foreign interference, O'Connell said "no," "I don’t think that’s an accurate assumption."

She added: "The precise matter is that those who have security clearance can review the information, and they can determine whether there’s another process or if further work needs to be done." "But directing these hypothetical accusations about who is involved or not involved without context and supporting intelligence with evidence, I think it becomes a significant problem because it has become a partisan process in this country."

Michael Chong, Conservative critic for foreign affairs – who himself has been a target of foreign interference – stated that there are rules in place that would prevent party leaders from acting based on any allegations contained in the unredacted report, even if they obtained security clearance.

Chong said, "What the Prime Minister is asking (Conservative leader Pierre) Poilievre to do is to tie his hands behind his back."

When asked if one should believe Chong regarding law enforcement officials, who said that party leaders will resort to acting based on the contents of the report, Chong replied "yes."

He said, "Because I believe that the Director of CSIS and the RCMP may not be aware of the processes under the reform legislation governing party caucuses in the House of Commons and the internal operations of parties that govern the behavior of their members."

In a heated debate on the matter, Chong said that the Conservatives "have not been political or partisan on this issue," and again called upon the Prime Minister to disclose the list of names.

Meanwhile, Alistair MacGregor, NDP critic for public safety, stated that he would also like the government to publish the names, so Canadians can "go into the next federal election with confidence that when they choose a name on the ballot, that politician has done so, and foreign principle has not been compromised."

He said when asked if the names should be mentioned, "I would like to find a way we can know their identities one day, but I must respect the fact that our intelligence community may have issues about how to do that publicly, or simply revealing it to party leaders."