A former Canadian politician is suspected of trying to influence the work of Parliament on behalf of a foreign government, according to documents released Friday by the committee on foreign interference. No identifying information about the parliamentarian – whether he was a senator or deputy, or which party he belonged to – was included in the documents, nor was the country he allegedly worked for named. But it is a previously unknown example of direct foreign interference in Canadian democracy. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, has produced a list of six significant cases of alleged foreign interference in recent years. Four had already been detailed by Judge Marie-Josée Hogue’s investigation into foreign influence operations during the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. The other two had not been previously disclosed to the public. Story continues below advertisement In addition to the parliamentarian suspected of having worked clandestinely for a foreign government, the list also included the case of another state working to block the election of a liberal deputy. “There are reports that a foreign government has taken several actions, including interference, to reduce the likelihood that a specific Liberal candidate will be elected at the federal level,” the document reads. “It is suspected that the foreign government sought to thwart the candidate’s candidacy given his support for issues perceived to be contrary to the interests of the foreign government. » Learn more about politics More videos The four other cases of foreign interference listed by the intelligence agency were detailed in the first phase of Hogue’s investigation: -The government of Pakistan “attempted to covertly influence Canadian federal policy with the aim of promoting (its) interests in Canada.” Receive national news daily Get the day’s top news, politics, business and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. -A case of a foreign government official suspected of interference activities, which resulted in classified briefings with representatives of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau around the 2021 election. -The Indian government allegedly used proxies to “covertly provide financial support to specific candidates from three political parties during a federal election.” Intelligence could not confirm whether the candidates received the funds, nor whether they knew the source of the money. -Report that a foreign government “actively supported” a candidate in a 2019 nomination race in Don Valley North, including “using a proxy.” Story continues below advertisement The latter case refers to “irregularities” in the 2019 Don Valley North Liberal nomination race, first reported by Global News, which was won by Han Dong. After the release of the Global report, Dong withdrew from the Liberal caucus and remains an independent MP today. Dong has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and is suing Global’s parent company, Corus Entertainment. The revelations that a former parliamentarian worked on behalf of another government come after months of significant developments in the file of foreign interference. In June, an explosive report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee (NSICOP) – a multipartisan committee that includes secrecy-cleared congressmen and senators – revealed that several federal politicians knowingly worked with hostile countries to s interfere in Canadian democracy. In one case, a politician allegedly provided classified government information to “a known intelligence officer of a foreign state.” It also found that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had “successfully” intervened in the nomination of Don Valley North and had a “significant impact” on Dong’s victory in that contest. Current trend Maggie Smith, legendary star of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, dies at 89 Eby was stung, but wasp suffers worst ‘fatal’ encounter during BC election campaign The NSICOP report follows Hogue’s preliminary report, released in May, which found that several federal candidates in the 2019 elections “appeared willing” to align themselves with plans for foreign interference. Hogue concluded that although foreign powers attempted to influence the 2019 and 2021 elections, those efforts did not determine the overall results of those elections. It is Canadian voters, not foreign actors, who chose their government. Story continues below advertisement The judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal nevertheless concluded that the foreign interference operations constituted a “stain on Canada’s electoral process”. The flow of details about parliamentarians and candidates who apparently willingly cooperated with foreign powers has led to calls for the government to “name names” – to identify politicians suspected of being under the influence. control of another government. But intelligence is not always proof. There is a gap between what intelligence agencies can suspect – even with a high degree of confidence – and what can be proven in court. And releasing names without evidence means those suspected of collaborating with foreign governments have little ability to defend themselves. In a press release preceding the latest round of testimony, Hogue spoke of a desire to name politicians directly. “Given that the allegations contained in the NSICOP report are based on classified information that cannot be disclosed to the individuals in question, those individuals would not be able to be heard regarding any potential conclusions the commission might consider drawing against them,” Hogue wrote in a public statement earlier this month. “In fact, the commission would not even be able to inform individuals that their activities may have been part of the NSICOP review. Thus, due to its dual obligation to respect confidentiality linked to national security and the rules of procedural fairness, the commission cannot draw any conclusions allowing the identification of the individuals involved in the allegations. Story continues below advertisement Hogue’s inquest is expected to continue until October 16. Witnesses include senior civil servants and intelligence officials, political staff and politicians, including Trudeau. Hogue’s final report is expected by the end of the year. &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

Minister of the Environment Steven Guilbeault says all levels of government will need to invest more to adapt Canadian communities and prevent climate-related disasters like the devastating one this summer Jasper wildfire. Speaking Wednesday evening to members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Resources, Guilbeault defended his government’s approach to climate change and mitigation efforts, especially in the face of attacks from conservatives and calls for Ottawa to take responsibility for a fire that destroyed nearly a third of this beloved mountain town. “I know the Conservative Party has a problem with this, but we are facing climate impacts like we have never had before: floods, tropical storms and, of course, fires,” the minister said . Exchanges between Guilbeault and conservative deputies often degenerated into shouting and accusations. At one point, Liberal President Francis Scarpaleggia reminded MPs: “It is not question period. » Story continues below advertisement The questions largely focused on what more the government and Parks Canada could do to prevent similar disasters. Jasper fire spread at lightning speed and destroyed 30 percent of the townsite, including more than 300 buildings. Guilbeault said decades of measures implemented throughout Jasper National Park to reduce wildfire risk – including a large buffer zone, prescribed burning of combustible vegetation and other efforts – have made Jasper “one of the most fire-prepared and resilient communities in Canada.” 2:07 Jasper mayor encourages tourism, but infrastructure is lacking since cataclysmic wildfires The July fire, Parks Canada officials said Wednesday, was impossible to prevent once it grew out of control due to “extreme” conditions. Receive national news daily Get the day’s top news, politics, business and current affairs headlines delivered to your inbox once a day. “Minister, if this is an example of preparation and success, what does failure look like? » asked Conservative MP Gérald Soroka to Guilbeault. Story continues below advertisement “We need to do more to protect ourselves, I agree with the MP on that,” Guilbeault responded, recommending larger buffer zones for at-risk communities. MPs, however, said the government had been warned repeatedly about the danger a dangerous wildfire would pose to the town of Jasper before this summer. Guilbeault said he began receiving briefings and having conversations with the mayor of Jasper “before the situation deteriorated” but did not provide a specific date as to when he was informed of a risk for the first time. Current trend Canada’s fertility rate has reached a record high. What is behind this decline? Climber falls to death at Devils Tower, leaving partner stranded 2:08 Wildfires in Jasper: What role did the mountain pine beetle play? Parks Canada faces questions whether it could have done more to prevent the explosive spread of the fire, including mitigating the effects of the mountain pine beetle. The federal agency says it has spent hundreds of millions of dollars since 1996 to fight the insect, including prescribed burns, and Guilbeault and has also defended the government’s efforts. Story continues below advertisement Experts told Global News They doubt that more could have been done to prevent the Jasper wildfire, noting that the main culprits were heat and drought. At Wednesday’s meeting, Guilbeault and Parks Canada officials said they were committed to more investments and actions to remove destroyed trees and combat the insect’s impacts. Officials also pushed back against accusations from conservationists that they were reducing or eliminating prescribed burns, saying burns remain an option for removing dead vegetation alongside mechanized removals. — with files from Touria Izri of Global Learn more about science and technology More videos &copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link

By Laura Osman and Nojoud Al Mallees The Canadian Press Published on September 25, 2024 at 1:35 p.m. 1 min read Reduce the font size of the article Increase the font size of the article THE Quebec Bloc gives the Liberal government until October 29 to adopt two bills related to old age security and supply management. If the Liberals do not comply, Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet says his party will begin discussions with other opposition parties with a view to bringing down the government. MPs will vote on a motion on Wednesday This could — but probably won’t — bring down the minority Liberal government, and the Conservatives have already warned the House of Commons that more such votes are coming. 1:55 Conservatives table no-confidence motion in attempt to topple Trudeau government Current trend Climber Falls to His Death at Devils Tower, Leaving Partner Stranded Woman dies in ‘suicide cell’ in Switzerland, several people arrested The NDP and the Bloc Québécois have announced that they will oppose the motion in a vote that will take place after question period on Wednesday. The story continues below the advertisement In exchange for its support, the Bloc wants the government to increase old age security for all seniors and strengthen Canada’s supply management system. Blanchet says that if the government accepts his demands, the Liberals will avoid an election before Christmas. Learn more about Canada More videos © 2024 The Canadian Press Source link

A senior House of Commons security official has said two potential staffers have been refused jobs in parliament in the past six months because of concerns about foreign state influence. Patrick McDonnell, the sergeant-at-arms and head of security for the House of Commons, told a federal inquiry Tuesday that he refused to hire a “handful” of people over the past five years because they were suspected of being influenced by a foreign state. McDonnell also told the foreign interference commission that there has also been a sharp increase in secondary interviews with job candidates, known as “doubt resolution” interviews, in recent years. Background screening interviews are conducted when preliminary security and “loyalty to Canada” investigations raise questions about a potential employee. McDonnell or his team meets with the candidate to clarify any lingering questions about his or her background. The story continues below the advertisement “The number of people interviewed has increased significantly. I believe in 2019 we conducted 10 doubt resolution interviews. In 2023, it will be about 128,” McDonnell said. McDonnell was first appointed Sergeant-at-Arms in 2019, a federal cabinet appointment, and was reappointed earlier this year. The position carries a number of ceremonial duties, but he also works with the Parliamentary Protective Service to provide security for the House of Commons. Get the latest national news For news that impacts Canada and the world, sign up to receive breaking news alerts directly when it happens. McDonnell was speaking at the second phase of the inquiry, led by Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, into the ongoing issue of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic institutions. Learn more about the policy More videos Hogue has so far determined that while the 2019 and 2021 general elections were marked by foreign state influence campaigns, those activities did not compromise the integrity of the results. In both elections, Hogue concluded earlier this year, it was Canadians who determined the winning party. But its preliminary report, released in May, concluded that a handful of candidates in the 2019 election “appeared willing” to accept help from foreign states. And the alleged foreign interference operations were not limited to political candidates. The Hogue investigation found that a group of “known and suspected” People’s Republic of China (PRC) affiliates were working to advance Beijing’s interests, and that the group had a “direct connection” to 11 political candidates and 13 political staffers. Some of these candidates and their staff members “appeared willing to cooperate in activities related to foreign interference, while others appeared unaware of these activities because of their clandestine nature.” The story continues below the advertisement Parliament Hill staffers perform a variety of duties for their MPs and senators: they answer calls from constituents, manage politicians’ offices and schedules, and attend meetings or interviews. Because of the sometimes grueling nature of their work, they generally occupy a trusted position in Ottawa’s political circle. Current trend Boy Kidnapped From California Park In 1951 Found More Than 70 Years Later Conservatives table no-confidence motion in bid to topple Trudeau This can make it an attractive target for foreign actors seeking to influence Canadian politicians. They also undergo security screening by the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) before being hired and given access to parliamentary networks, McDonnell told the inquiry. The RCMP conducts a criminal background check on all job applicants, while CSIS conducts a “loyalty to Canada” check. New hires are also vetted based on any publicly available information that investigators can unearth, also known as “open source intelligence.” “Investigations into loyalty to Canada involve examining an individual’s background over the past five years. These investigations can be challenging, particularly if the candidate has resided outside the country, is new to Canada, or is from a country of concern to Canada,” reads an interview summary released by the investigation Tuesday morning. If there are any concerns or incomplete information from the new employee, McDonnell’s office may request a second “concern resolution” interview to “ensure they are taking appropriate steps to protect their networks and institutions.” The story continues below the advertisement The current phase of the Hogue inquiry is expected to continue until October 16 and will hear more testimony from senior security and intelligence officials, senior civil servants and cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Hogue has until the end of the year to produce a final report on foreign interference in Canadian elections. © 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Source link