Canada’s spy service, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), conducted an investigation into leaks of classified information about foreign interference, as revealed in a memo obtained by The Canadian Press. The memo highlighted the efforts made by CSIS to track the flow of intelligence reports across government and study how other agencies handled them to improve safeguards and protect information in the future. The investigation was triggered by unauthorized disclosures to the media that began in November 2022, leading to a series of articles. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Privy Council Office also opened investigations into the leaks.
As part of its investigation, CSIS audited the pathway of its intelligence products to various government agencies and made significant progress in identifying the source of the leaks. The investigation is ongoing, and specific details were not disclosed due to the criminal probe by the RCMP. In February 2023, the Globe and Mail reported on classified CSIS records that suggested China interfered to help ensure a Liberal minority victory in the 2021 election and defeat Conservative politicians considered hostile to Beijing. Subsequent leaks to the media and pressure from opposition parties prompted the government to take action.
Following the revelations, the federal government appointed a special rapporteur to investigate foreign interference and took additional measures to counter meddling and enhance confidence in the electoral process. The Globe and Mail published an open letter from an unnamed national security official who claimed senior public officials were not taking sufficient action against foreign interference, leading them to leak information to the media. In response to growing concerns, the government announced a public inquiry led by a Quebec judge to investigate allegations of foreign interference and assess the federal response to the issue.
During an inquiry session, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the public’s concerns about foreign interference but denied that the leaks had prompted government action, stating that the issue was already being addressed. However, the CSIS memo stressed the importance of proper handling of classified information, emphasizing that unauthorized disclosures can endanger intelligence methods, expose strategies, and undermine security measures. The memo reminded employees that the ends do not justify the means and highlighted the risks posed to sources and allies’ trust in Canada as a reliable intelligence partner.
The memo also mentioned the presence of oversight and review processes within the federal government to address concerns related to classified matters. CSIS continues to collaborate with other government organizations and the RCMP in investigating the unauthorized disclosures to the media. While the investigations are ongoing, regular updates are provided to employees to keep them informed of the progress. Spokespeople for the RCMP and the Privy Council Office declined to comment on the matter due to the ongoing investigations. The focus remains on identifying the source of the leaks and strengthening measures to prevent future unauthorized disclosures of classified information.
