(Ottawa) The head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) told employees he supports CSIS’s handling of the “troubling” leak of sensitive information from classified material, a recent memo reveals published.
In a message to staff on February 24, CSIS Director David Vigneault expressed confidence in the employees’ dedication and respect for the law after a newspaper article cited secret spy documents on foreign interference.
“The source of this leak is troubling to the Canadian government and, of course, to us here at CSIS,” Vigneault said in the memo, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access Act. to information.
“For us to collect and share classified information in accordance with our mandate and the CSIS Act, we must have full confidence in the measures taken to meet the legal obligations surrounding its security, to ensure the complete protection of our techniques, sources and employees,” he says.
Mr. Vigneault sent this memo to his employees, a week after the Globe and Mail, citing classified CSIS files, revealed that China had worked behind the scenes to influence the 2021 general election, by favoring the election of a liberal minority and to defeat conservative politicians considered hostile to Beijing.
Last March, the federal government appointed a special rapporteur to examine allegations of foreign interference and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
The same month, the Globe and Mail published an open letter from an anonymous national security official who alleged that senior officials were failing to take serious action against foreign interference.
Amid repeated media leaks and pressure from opposition parties, the Trudeau government announced in September that a Quebec judge would lead a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference and the capacity of the federal government to resolve the problem.
In the memo, parts of which were deemed too sensitive for disclosure, Mr. Vigneault noted that the secret documents that the World was able to consult had been shared among senior government officials, as well as with a number of allies.
He said that while there have been public concerns about security within CSIS, employees carry out their missions “with rigor and respect for the law.”
Under the Security of Information Act, persons held in secret include current and former members of CSIS, as well as many other federal public servants involved in security and intelligence.
On behalf of the entire spy service executive committee, Mr. Vigneault told CSIS employees: “I want to assure each of you that our faith in your tireless dedication and in your adherence to the Act on the protection of information and your oath remains intact. We firmly believe that our employees’ reputation for commitment to our mission is well-deserved. »
The director also said he was proud of the work accomplished, including efforts to uncover evidence of foreign influence.
Furthermore, David Vigneault reminded staff that the CSIS employee assistance program is available to respond to their personal concerns.
CSIS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in March they were investigating media leaks about foreign interference.
A message sent in April to CSIS staff by the service’s director general of internal security provided the update. He stressed that all employees “are encouraged to come forward if they wish to share information” regarding the department’s investigation into the media leaks.
“Any information shared will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” states the message obtained under the Access to Information Act, but heavily redacted.
“This situation reminds us of the need to protect our information, our investigations and our sources. As always, the safety of our employees is our top priority,” the message states.
A CSIS spokesperson, Eric Balsam, said this week that compromised information can threaten the integrity of the agency’s operations, the physical safety and security of its human sources and employees, and the trust of partners. international.
CSIS continues to investigate “these activities, in parallel and in coordination with the RCMP criminal investigation,” added Mr. Balsam, declining to comment further given the ongoing investigation.
RCMP Sergeant Kim Chamberland also said police continue to investigate violations of the Privacy Act associated with media reporting.
“This investigation does not focus on a single security organization. As the RCMP investigation is ongoing, there will be no further comments on this matter at this time,” she said.