(Ottawa) Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), David Vigneault, refutes Minister Bill Blair’s comments that the intelligence agency did not see fit to inform him in May 2021 that the Conservative MP Michael Chong was the target of intimidation by the Chinese communist regime.
The CSIS top boss certified to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday night that a warning note about China’s activities targeting MK Chong and his family members still living in Hong Kong had been prepared specifically for Bill Blair, who was then Minister of Public Security.
However, Mr. Blair stated ten days ago before this same committee that he had never received such a warning note because Mr. Vigneault had determined that it was not information that the minister needed to know.
Mr. Blair, who is now civil defense minister, also said he was unaware of the threats against Mr. Chong until a report was published in the Globe and Mail about it in May. He maintained that if he had been informed of threats against an MP, he would have acted.
Mr. Blair had also indicated that questions about why the information had not been shared with him should be referred to the Director of CSIS.
Tuesday evening, Mr. Vigneault therefore contradicted Mr. Blair’s statements after being questioned several times by Conservative MPs on the House of Commons procedure committee. This committee has been studying allegations that members of Parliament have been victims of foreign interference for the past few weeks.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and I specifically, shared the information with the Department of Public Safety with very specific direction to share it with the Minister [Blair] said Mr. Vigneault in response to questions from Conservative MP Luc Berthold.
“I have no doubt that the minister did not receive it. I think his comments were very clear. But I also think it’s important to understand that we had shared the intelligence and the briefing note,” added the big boss of CSIS.
Warning notices produced by the Issues Management Unit, considered of the utmost importance and written to be absolutely read by the Minister of Public Safety, CSIS produces about two to three a week.
Why did Bill Blair claim otherwise before the committee? Mr. Vigneault did not want to come forward. He contented himself with saying that it was obviously a deficiency in the transmission of information between the intelligence agencies and the ministries and the elected officials which must be corrected and which is in the process of being.
MP Luc Berthold said he finds it unacceptable that CSIS has an annual budget bordering on $650 million to collect national security intelligence and that crucial information concerning threats against elected officials falls squarely “into a black hole” .
Two weeks ago, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister Jody Thomas used the same phrase to explain why the warning note was issued in May 2021 to the Deputy Ministers of Public Safety, Global Affairs and National Defence, but that it had not been shared with the appropriate people in Ottawa.
In the wake of this controversy, Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino issued a ministerial directive requiring CSIS to promptly inform any elected official who is the victim of foreign interference.
With the Canadian Press