CSIS has been monitoring the flow of intelligence between the government in the foreign interference leak probe

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press, 2 November 2024.

Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) signature coasters are pictured in Ottawa in a 2011 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, CSIS *MANDATORY CREDIT*

OTTAWA – Canada’s spy agency monitored the flow of its intelligence reports across the government and examined how other agencies handled them as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information about foreign interference, a newly released memo shows.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service described the “tireless efforts” in a memo prepared for staff seeking an update on the investigation into unauthorized media leaks.

In a memo, CSIS’ director general of homeland security said the investigation “helps improve security safeguards and measures to protect our information in the future.”

The Canadian Press used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the March memo and related internal emails about the spy agency’s investigation.

The memo said Homeland Security CSIS was “actively investigating” leaks of classified information and documents from the spy agency, which led to a series of media stories beginning in November 2022.

RCMP and the Privy Council Office have also launched an investigation.

As part of its effort, CSIS examined a “broad trail” of ready-made intelligence products that regularly flow to people with security clearances at various government agencies.

“While we cannot release specific details due to the ongoing RCMP criminal investigation, I can assure you that we continue to make significant progress,” the memo to staff said.

In February 2023, the Globe and Mail, citing classified CSIS records, said China was working to ensure a liberal minority victory in the 2021 general election and defeat conservative politicians seen as unfriendly to Beijing.

The federal government subsequently appointed a special rapporteur to look into foreign interference, one of several measures to counter interference and strengthen credibility in the electoral process.

In March 2023, the Globe and Mail published an open letter from an unnamed national security official who wrote that they had gone to the media because senior government officials had failed to take serious action against foreign interference.

Amid additional media leaks and pressure from opposition parties, the government announced last September that a Quebec judge would hold a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference and federal options to address the issue.

During questioning last month at the inquiry, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the “sensational nature of these criminal leaks has raised the curiosity, attention and concern of Canadians about the issue of foreign interference.”

But Trudeau dismissed any suggestion that the leak prompted the government to act, saying “it was something this government has dealt with and continues to deal with.”

A March memo from CSIS stressed to staff the importance of handling classified information properly, adding that no matter how good a leak is, “the ends do not justify the means.”

“Unauthorized disclosure compromises intelligence methods, exposes strategy, and provides adversaries who are constantly looking for new ways to undermine our security, invaluable insight that allows them to implement measures to reduce the effectiveness of counterintelligence and counterterrorism operations,” the memorandum said. .

“The unauthorized disclosure compromises sources and undermines our allies’ confidence in Canada as a reliable intelligence partner.”

The federal government has oversight and review processes in place to raise concerns about classified matters, the memo added.

In response to questions, CSIS spokesman John Townsend said the intelligence agency continues to investigate the unauthorized release of classified media information “in parallel and in coordination with other government agencies as well as the RCMP’s criminal investigation.”

“As the investigation is ongoing, I cannot discuss details or provide updates at this time. CSIS has provided and will continue to provide regular updates to staff as these investigations continue.”

Spokesmen for the RCMP and the Privy Council Office declined to comment due to ongoing investigations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 2, 2024.

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