Foreign interference | National Security Advisor Nathalie Drouin is not worried

(Ottawa) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s national security and intelligence adviser rejects the idea that there are traitors in the House of Commons, despite a disturbing report from a spy watchdog that raised questions in June about the loyalty of certain parliamentarians.




The Committee of Parliamentarians on National Security (CPSNR) and Intelligence declared in June that some parliamentarians are “half-willing or half-willing participants in the interference efforts of foreign states” in Canadian politics.

The direct but vague assertion by the CPSNR, an intelligence watchdog made up of lawmakers and senators who have sworn an oath of secrecy, sparked a wave of concern that people knowingly involved in the interference could still be active in politics.

National Security Advisor Nathalie Drouin told the federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference on Wednesday that the conclusion of the Committee of Parliamentarians that certain MPs could have betrayed their country made her very uncomfortable, because it is not what she observed.

Mme Drouin told the commission she had been made aware of inappropriate behavior and poor judgment on the part of some politicians. But after reviewing the relevant intelligence, she saw no MP responsible for espionage, sabotage or other activities endangering Canada’s security.

Mme Drouin said she still has full confidence in parliamentarians in Ottawa.

Giving any other impression diminishes the Canadian public’s confidence in the democratic system, she argued.

The latest hearings of the commission of inquiry focus on the ability of federal agencies to identify and counter foreign interference. A final report is expected to be presented by the end of the year.

Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue and her staff identified and reviewed the intelligence reports mentioned in the classified and public versions of the CPSNR report.

The investigation also questioned senior government officials and intelligence agencies behind closed doors about the sensitive findings.

However, Mme Hogue indicated that she would not publicly identify the parliamentarians suspected by the CPSNR of interference.

She warned that the specific allegations in the CPSNR report are based on classified information, meaning the investigation cannot make them public or even disclose them to those affected.

As a result, the investigation will not be able to provide individuals with a meaningful opportunity to defend themselves, she explained.

Former aide denies delaying approval of spy warrant

A former chief of staff to a Liberal public safety minister has denied allegations that she worked to delay approval of a 2021 spying warrant because it directly affected the operations of the Trudeau government.

Zita Astravas called the allegations categorically false while testifying late Wednesday as part of a federal investigation into foreign interference.

The inquiry heard it took 54 days for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) warrant request to be approved by then-Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

The average processing time for such requests is four to 10 days.

Mr Blair said he signed the warrant shortly after he became aware of it.

A document filed Wednesday at the inquiry indicates that Mme Astravas attended a briefing on the 13-day warrant request after CSIS sent it to Public Safety.


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