Bloc Quebecois Party Leader Yves-François Blanchet told Radio-Canada that his party has received the necessary security clearance to view classified national security files.
This leaves Conservative Party leader Pierre Poièvre as the only party leader in the House of Commons who does not have proper powers to view classified documents. This includes information that the Prime Minister says he has confirmed that Conservative MPs are involved in, or are susceptible to, foreign interference.
Blanchett said the National Security and Intelligence Parliamentary Committee (NSICOP) has released heavily redacted documents based on intelligence reports alleging that some members of Parliament supported foreign interference in Canadian politics. The process began in June, shortly after the announcement.
The top-secret clearance allows Blanchett to read an unredacted version of the report and sit in on future press conferences.
“All I want is to make sure before the election that there are no members of Congress in my caucus who would have been involved in any way with foreign powers,” he said in June.
Green Party leader Elizabeth May and National Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh received top secret classified information last year.
Poilievre opposes the permit, saying he is bound by secrecy laws that prevent him from speaking publicly or challenging the government.
His refusal comes at a sharp turn in Canadian politics after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified under oath last week that he had obtained information about Conservative MPs and members who were involved in or susceptible to foreign interference. caused a debate.
“I know the names of a number of Conservative Party of Canada MPs, former MPs and candidates who have been involved in, or are at high risk of, foreign interference,” he told the inquiry. Or there is clear information about foreign interference.” Foreign election interference.
Prime Minister Trudeau suggests Poièvre may be hiding something
During question period Wednesday, Trudeau suggested his main political opponent was hiding something.
“Canadians should be alarmed that the Conservative leadership has chosen to ignore the risks to their party and our country,” Prime Minister Trudeau said. “If he has nothing to hide, what is he afraid of? Why doesn’t he get a security clearance?”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the Conservative leader’s decision was concerning.
“It’s funny to me that someone who claims to want to be the prime minister of this country doesn’t want to know about the serious ongoing threats that affect Canadians,” he said at a news conference last week. .
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May encouraged Mr. Poièvre to go through a process that includes thorough interviews and rigorous background checks, saying, “The only way Canadians will know that the government’s opposition is not undermined by foreign interference is… , the leader of the party should take action on his own.” Obtain top secret security clearance. ”
After Trudeau’s testimony, Poièvre accused the prime minister of lying and exaggerating.
The Conservative Party leader suggested in a statement that there are other ways for the government to share sensitive information and there is no need to obtain security clearance.
The CSIS Act allows the government to provide “information about specific risks of foreign interference without forcing Canadians into sworn secrecy or restricting their speech,” Poièvre wrote.
Last spring, the House of Commons passed the Government’s Countering Foreign Interference Bill, officially known as Bill C-70, with wide support.
This law authorized CSIS to disclose classified information beyond the federal government.
“These new authorities will allow CSIS to share information more frequently, with the aim of strengthening society as a whole’s resilience to threats,” said CSIS spokesperson John Townsend. Ta.
But CSIS said there are limits.
“Importantly, these changes include strict restrictions on disclosing personal information about Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Canadian individuals, as well as the names of Canadian entities and companies, without additional authorization. ” Townsend said.
“CSIS welcomes any opportunity to brief elected officials on the threat landscape with appropriate classification.”
