One of Canada’s intelligence agencies has concluded an investigation into allegations of foreign election interference and sent its findings to the prime minister and cabinet.
However, it will be some time before the general public can read it. And it remains to be seen how much of the report will be redacted.
Just over a year ago, when the Liberal government was under constant fire over allegations of Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the country’s two intelligence review bodies, National Security and Questions were asked of the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence (NSICOP) and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliament (NSICOP). National Security Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) — will investigate this matter.
On Friday, NSICOP announced it had submitted a special report containing unanimous findings and recommendations to Prime Minister Trudeau, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Justice Minister Arif Virani, and Defense Minister Bill Blair.
As required by NSICOP’s enabling law, currently, “Does the report contain any information that, if disclosed, would adversely affect national security, national defense, or international relations, or that constitutes attorney-client information? It is up to the Prime Minister to consider whether or not to do so. ”
The Prime Minister must submit a declassified version of the report within 30 days of Parliament sitting.
NSICOP is made up of congressmen and senators from various political parties, who have top-secret security clearances, are required to maintain secrecy in perpetuity under the Information Security Act, and are normally employed by government agencies. Access to covert activities is granted.
It was established in 2017 with a mandate to review national security measures, but has come under political crosshairs over the past 12 months.
In March last year, Conservative foreign affairs commentator Michael Chong described NSICOP as “a secret commission with secret hearings, secret evidence and secret conclusions, all controlled by the Prime Minister”.
Former Conservative senator and NSICOP member Vern White called the claims “BS”.
“There are strict rules about what needs to be edited. Read the law, it’s very clear,” he said. the house last year.
The 2019 NSICOP report urged Ottawa to take the threat of foreign interference more seriously.
“Canada has been slow to respond to the threat of foreign interference,” he said. “The government has to do better.”
Investigation will resume next week
NSICOP’s report is separate from a committee investigating similar allegations that is expected to resume next week.
The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions (PIFI) will resume next Wednesday and run until April 10th.
The investigation is looking closely at allegations of foreign interference by China, India, Russia and others in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
In a news release issued on Friday, the commission said it has identified dozens of individuals, including members of the diaspora community, current and former election officials, political party representatives, Elections Canada staff, the Office of the Director of Elections Canada, and current staff. He said he plans to hear from the government and institutions. They include former government officials, cabinet ministers and even Prime Minister Trudeau himself.
The prime minister, who came under fire last year over his handling of the file, said he would be “happy and very keen” to testify.
A schedule for witnesses to appear in court is expected to be published next week.
Earlier this year, Hogue held an interim hearing on whether he can publicly discuss intelligence and other information.
A series of upcoming hearings will examine whether there was foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, the potential impact on the integrity of those elections, the flow of information to senior decision makers, the government’s response, and more. is the focus.
“The purpose of these hearings was to assess the threats of foreign interference that our electoral system may have faced in the 2019 and 2021 elections, the protection mechanisms that were in place, and the integrity challenges, if any. “It’s about educating the public about the potential impact on the election,” Hogue said in a media statement Friday.
The commission said a “creative and careful approach” would be needed.
“Therefore, we are committed to developing flexible evidence and procedures that allow us to reconcile the objectives of transparency and protecting national security while respecting the rights of parties and the public to know and adhering to the strict timelines imposed.” We laid down the rules,’” Hogue said.
Hogue’s interim report is due May 3, with a final report due by the end of the year.
