CSIS tracked intelligence flow across government in foreign interference leak probe

Canada’s spy work tracked the travel of its quality reports crossed authorities and studied however different agencies handled them arsenic portion of an probe into leaks of classified accusation astir overseas interference, a recently released memo shows.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service described the “tireless efforts” successful the memo prepared for unit who were keen for an update connected the probe into unauthorized disclosures to the media.

In the note, CSIS’s manager wide of interior information said the probe would “contribute to improved safeguards and measures to support our accusation successful the future.”

The Canadian Press utilized the Access to Information Act to get the March connection and related interior emails astir the spy agency’s investigation.

The memo said CSIS’s interior information had “actively investigated” leaks of classified spy bureau accusation and documents that led to a bid of media articles opening successful November 2022.

The RCMP and Privy Council Office person besides opened investigations.

As portion of its efforts, CSIS audited the “extensive pathway” of the spy service’s finished quality products that routinely travel to radical with information clearances astatine assorted authorities agencies.

“While we are incapable to disclose circumstantial details owed to the ongoing RCMP transgression investigation, I tin guarantee you that we proceed to marque important progress,” the memo to unit said.

In February 2023, the Globe and Mail newspaper, quoting classified CSIS records, said China worked to assistance guarantee a Liberal number triumph successful the 2021 wide predetermination and to decision Conservative politicians considered unfriendly to Beijing.

The national authorities subsequently appointed a peculiar rapporteur to look into overseas interference, 1 of respective measures to antagonistic meddling and fortify assurance successful the electoral process.

The Globe and Mail published an unfastened missive successful March 2023 from an unnamed nationalist information authoritative who wrote that they went to the media due to the fact that elder nationalist officials were failing to instrumentality superior enactment against overseas interference.

Amid further leaks to the media and unit from absorption parties, the authorities announced successful September of past twelvemonth that a Quebec justice would pb a nationalist enquiry into allegations of overseas interference and the national capableness to code the issue.

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Under questioning past period astatine the inquiry, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “the sensational quality of those transgression leaks piqued the curiosity and attraction and concerns of Canadians astir the contented of overseas interference.”

But Trudeau rejected immoderate proposition the leaks spurred the authorities into action, saying “it was precise overmuch thing with which this authorities had already been elbows heavy successful dealing with and has continued to.”

The March CSIS memo stressed to employees the value of due handling of classified information, adding nary substance however good intended a leak, “the ends bash not warrant the means.”

“Unauthorized disclosures endanger quality methods, exposure strategy, and supply adversaries — consistently searching for caller avenues to undermine our information — with invaluable penetration that allows for the implementation of measures to trim the effectiveness of counter-intelligence and counterterrorism operations,” the memo said.

“Unauthorized disclosures enactment sources astatine risk, and undermine our allies’ spot successful Canada arsenic a reliable quality partner.”

There are oversight and reappraisal processes wrong the national authorities to explicit concerns related to classified matters, the memo added.

In effect to questions, CSIS spokesperson John Townsend said the quality bureau continues to analyse the unauthorized disclosure of classified accusation to the media, “in parallel and successful co-ordination with different authorities organizations arsenic good arsenic the RCMP transgression investigation.”

“As the investigations are ongoing, I americium incapable to talk to specifics oregon supply an update astatine this time. CSIS has and volition proceed to supply regular updates to employees arsenic these investigations continue.”

Spokespeople for the RCMP and the Privy Council Office declined to remark owed to ongoing investigations.