(Ottawa) The head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) told staff he supports CSIS’s handling of the “disturbing” leak of sensitive information from classified material, according to a recently released memo.
Posted at 10:16 am.
Jim Bronskill The Canadian Press
In a message to staff on Feb. 24, CSIS Director David Vigneault expressed confidence in staff’s commitment and respect for the law after a newspaper article cited classified espionage documents about foreign interference.
“The source of this leak concerns the Government of Canada and of course us here at CSIS,” Vigneault said in the memo, which was obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access Act.
“In order for us to collect and share sensitive information in accordance with our mandate and the CSIS Act, we must have full confidence in the measures taken to comply with legal obligations related to its security in order to fully protect our techniques, sources and ensure employees. ” he says.
Mr. Vigneault sent this memo to his staff a week after the Globe and Mail, citing secret CSIS files, revealed that China had worked behind the scenes to influence the 2021 general election by favoring the election of a liberal minority and the conservatives defeated politicians are seen as hostile to Beijing.
Last March, the federal government appointed a special rapporteur to investigate allegations of foreign interference and increase public confidence in the electoral process.
That same month, the Globe and Mail published an open letter from an anonymous national security official who claimed senior officials had failed to take serious action against foreign interference.
Due to repeated media leaks and pressure from opposition parties, the Trudeau government announced in September that a judge in Quebec would lead a public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference and the federal government’s ability to resolve the issue.
In the memo, parts of which were deemed too sensitive to disclose, Mr. Vigneault noted that the classified documents seen by the Globe had been shared with senior government officials as well as a certain number of allies.
He said that while there were public concerns about security within CSIS, employees carried out their duties “with rigor and respect for the law.”
Under the Security of Information Act, those required to maintain secrecy include current and former members of CSIS, as well as many other federal officials working in security and intelligence.
On behalf of the entire Executive Committee of the spy agency, Mr. Vigneault told CSIS employees: “I want to assure each of you that our confidence in your tireless efforts and in your compliance with the Information Protection Act and your oath remains intact.” We are firmly believe that our employees’ reputation for their commitment to our mission is well-deserved. »
The director also said he was proud of the work done, including efforts to uncover evidence of foreign influence.
Additionally, David Vigneault reminded employees that the CSIS Employee Assistance Program is available to address their personal concerns.
CSIS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced in March that they would investigate media leaks about foreign interference.
A message sent to CSIS employees in April from the service’s director general of internal security provided the update. He stressed that all employees are “encouraged to come forward if they wish to share information” regarding the department’s investigation into the media leaks.
“All information shared will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” said the notice, which was obtained under the Access to Information Act but heavily redacted.
“This situation reminds us of the need to protect our information, our investigations and our sources. As always, the safety of our employees is our top priority,” the statement said.
A CSIS spokesman, Eric Balsam, said this week that compromised information could jeopardize the integrity of the agency’s operations, the physical security of its employees and staff, and the trust of partners.
CSIS continues to “investigate these activities, in parallel and in coordination with the RCMP’s criminal investigation,” Mr. Balsam added, declining to comment further given the ongoing investigation.
RCMP Sergeant Kim Chamberland also said police continue to investigate breaches of the Privacy Act related to media reports.
“This investigation does not focus on any single security organization. As the RCMP investigation is ongoing, there will be no further comment on this matter at this time,” she said.