CSIS must inform government of threats targeting MPs, families: Trudeau – National | 24CA News
Canada’s intelligence company should inform the federal government if there are threats made in opposition to any MP or their household, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.
Trudeau informed reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has been directed to alert officers to threats, no matter whether or not they’re thought of credible.
The improvement comes after the Globe and Mail reported on Monday that Beijing’s intelligence service allegedly sought to focus on Conservative MP Michael Chong and his household in Hong Kong, citing a top-secret doc and an nameless nationwide safety supply. The Globe additionally reported a Chinese diplomat who stays in Canada was allegedly concerned.
“We’re making it very clear to CSIS and our intelligence officials that when there are concerns that talk specifically about any MP – particularly about their family – those need to be elevated even if CSIS doesn’t feel that it’s a sufficient level of concern for them to take more direct action,” Trudeau stated.
“We still need to know about it at the upper government levels.”
Trudeau stated he solely discovered of the event on Monday after it was reported that CSIS had intelligence concerning the threats regarding Chong’s household two years in the past.
He stated CSIS was requested to transient Chong on the time after China publicly stated it will sanction him for criticizing Beijing’s remedy of Uyghur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province. CSIS by no means informed anyone else concerning the data it had, Trudeau stated.
In February 2021, Chong voted in favour of a movement condemning China’s remedy of its Uyghur minority as a genocide. The following month, China sanctioned Chong, barring him from coming into the county and prohibiting Chinese residents from conducting business with him.
Trudeau stated that in the case of the protection and safety of MPs or their households, intelligence businesses ought to at all times make that data identified.
“If anyone ever puts a threat against an MP or a family, we need to know about it and we’re going to make sure that CSIS elevates that, even if it’s not a credible threat or doesn’t hit the threshold that they would decide is necessary,” he stated.
“When it comes to MPs and their families, I think we have to have a lower threshold.”
Following the Globe’s reporting, Chong stated in an announcement that any efforts to threaten relations aboard in an try to intimidate or coerce individuals in Canada represent a nationwide menace.
Chong stated CSIS by no means briefed him about any threats made in opposition to him or his household, including he believes that’s as a result of Trudeau’s workplace didn’t authorize such a warning.
“The Trudeau government continuing to accredit and allow a (Chinese) diplomat to remain in Canada to target my family abroad demonstrates a complete lack of leadership and common decency,” he stated.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has urged Trudeau to expel the diplomat in query and accused Trudeau of failing to take correct motion, together with delivering a warning to Chong.
Poilievre additionally stated the alleged threats have been motive for Canada to create a overseas agent registry as quickly as attainable that will hold observe of individuals being paid to behave on behalf of overseas nations in Canada.
The authorities launched public consultations on that concept in March, and they’re anticipated to wrap up subsequent week.
— with information from The Canadian Press
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
