It’s disheartening to see intelligence in Canada being ignored once again.
A Canadian spy agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), presented solid intelligence to a senior government bureaucrat regarding foreign interference in a federal election. Despite the importance of ensuring a free and fair election, the bureaucrat, Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault, chose to take no action based on the intelligence provided by CSIS.
The alleged foreign power behind the interference was the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and these actions occurred in both 2019 and 2021 when a minority Liberal government remained in power. Perrault’s decision to dismiss the intelligence, citing national security concerns, raises serious questions about the protection of our democracy.
The ongoing inquiry into foreign interference may uncover more details, but the issue of inaction and negligence remains prevalent. The reluctance to address such critical intelligence exposes a concerning lack of understanding of the role of intelligence in decision-making processes.
This recurring pattern of negligence and disregard for intelligence poses a significant threat to the integrity of Canadian politics. It is imperative that the government takes decisive action to address foreign interference and safeguard the democratic process.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
