Parliamentary Committee Notes: CSIS Information Sharing and Threat Reduction Measures
Issue
CBC has published an article regarding the unnamed Parliamentarians engaged in FI, detailing CPC Leader Pierre Poilievre’s unwillingness to apply for the security clearance necessary to provide him access to the names in question.
Proposed Response
- It is no secret that Canada has seen a significant increase in the sophistication, persistence, and pervasiveness of foreign interference. To counter the evolving threat, this Government acted to protect Canada and Canadians through the swift passage of Bill C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act.
- This included amendments to the CSIS Act that enhanced CSIS’ ability to share sensitive information about threats to Canada’s security with a wider range of entities beyond the Government of Canada. These new authorities enable CSIS to share information with stakeholders more frequently, aiming to strengthen society’s overall resilience against threats.
- These changes include strict limits on disclosing personal information about Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or any individuals in Canada, as well as the names of Canadian entities or corporations, without additional authorizations.
- Let me be clear: these new information-sharing powers do not replace CSIS’ threat reduction mandate, which aims to mitigate specific threats to Canada’s national security.
- The threshold for sharing intelligence under a threat reduction measure is very high. CSIS is required to have reasonable grounds to believe a threat exists, and that the proposed action will reduce that threat. CSIS must also consider the need to protect highly sensitive sources and methods in determining what information can be shared.
- The Government will continue to ensure that information is shared in effective, credible and transparent ways, while balancing the imperative to protect highly sensitive information.
Background
On October 17, 2024, the CBC published an article related to the NSICOP report accusing several Parliamentarians of engaging in foreign interference. The article covered Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s testimony at the Public Inquiry on Foreign Interference, where he noted that he had the names of a number of parliamentarians and candidates in the Conservative Party of Canada who were engaged in FI, and criticized CPC Leader Pierre Poilievre’s unwillingness to obtain the necessary clearance to obtain the information.
This led to a discussion on other means that CSIS could use to inform Poilievre, including through a TRM and new disclosure authorities granted through Bill C-70.
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