Months Of Leaks Rattle Canada’s Spy Agency

A sign outside the CSIS headquarters in Ottawa. Photograph: Chris Wattie/Reuters  

The Guardian: ‘This is very bad for them’: months of leaks rattle Canada’s low-profile spy agency  

Allegations of attempted meddling by China put uncomfortable spotlight on publicity-shy CSIS 

Most Canadians have no idea where the country’s spy agency is located, nor do they know much about its daily operations. This is not because the Canadian Security Intelligence Service operates in a particularly clandestine fashion, it’s because most Canadians don’t care. 

The CSIS, a civilian-run organisation based in a triangular structure of concrete and glass on the outskirts of Ottawa, lacks the intrigue of Britain’s MI5 and the notoriety of America’s Central Intelligence Agency. 

“I look nothing like Daniel Craig, and I did not arrive here in an Aston Martin. I’m just as disappointed as you are – on both fronts,” its director, David Vigneault, said in a speech in 2018, poking fun at the service’s largely uncharismatic reputation. “Most of you remember the movie Fight Club. And you will know that the first rule of Fight Club is ‘don’t talk about Fight Club’. Well, the first rule of CSIS has always been ‘don’t talk’. Period.”  

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WNU Editor: No one really knows where these leaks are coming from. But it is clear that there is at least one person in the national security bureaucracy who is not satisfied with the complete lack of response from the Canadian government on intelligence reports that China is interfering in Canada's elections.

Canadian Government Infiltrated By Spies, Intelligence Director (CSIS) Says

CSIS director Richard Fadden retreated Wednesday from controversial public comments about unspecified provincial cabinet ministers being under the influence of a foreign government. Photograph by: Chris Mikula, Canwest News Service files

Government Infiltrated By Spies, CSIS Boss Says -- Globe And Mail

At least two provincial cabinet ministers and a number of other government officials and employees are under the control of foreign countries as part of espionage schemes, Canada’s top security official said Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview on CBC’s The National, CSIS director Richard Fadden said foreign powers are infiltrating Canadian political circles and influencing public servants, fuelling a growing concern about economic espionage in Canada.

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More News On CSIS Allegations Of Foreign Influence On Canadian Politicians

Some politicians under foreign sway: CSIS -- CBC
Foreigners influencing Canada politics - spy chief -- Reuters
PM never warned about CSIS allegations -- Toronto Sun
Campbell blasts CSIS chief over allegations -- CBC News
Spy chief backtracks on claim Canadian politicians under sway of foreign governments -- Vancouver Sun
CSIS head backtracks on allegations of foreign influence over Canadian officials -- Toronto Star
CSIS director’s future in doubt as politicians decry remarks -- Globe And Mail
Fadden’s remarks seemingly out of character -- Globe And Mail
There is no stuffing secrets back into the spy director’s briefcase -- Globe And Mail
Fadden’s remarks: Reckless, foolish, contradictory -- Globe And Mail editorial
John Ivison: Strange way for CSIS head to come in from the cold -- National Post

My Comment: First .... the head of Canada's intelligence agency in an interview makes the serious allegation that two senior Canadian Cabinet Ministers are under the "influence" of foreign governments .... and later in the day he backtracks on these comments.

Sighhh .... what the hell is happening in CSIS? He has to explain himself or he will find himself out of a job .... and soon. Or .... there is more to the story than what they are telling us.

If this story does not proceed more than what is in the papers .... and it dies a quiet death with no more coverage .... and CSIS director Richard Fadden is still in his job .... this tells me that there is far more to this story than what they are telling us.

Or he may be fired next week.