Some members of Parliament say they have no idea how to spot foreign interference, as Canada's spy agency warns that all elected officials are targets for hostile states.
MPs from different parties say they have no clue how to spot foreign interference, as Canada's spy agency warns all elected officials are targets for states such as China. MP Rachel Blaney rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018.
The MPs heard from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service about efforts to safeguard against foreign states trying to improperly influence elected representatives and candidates for office. “There is really little-to-no briefings or training for MPs on how to even deal with that, so clearly that issue persisted,” said the Toronto-area MP, who held a top security clearance during her time on the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.
Henderson pointed to a generic guide released last year called “Foreign Interference and You,” which has vague advice such as protecting oneself “by being aware of the threat and doing your due diligence.” Stephanie Carvin, a professor at Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, said it seems CSIS and elected officials don’t understand each other.“If CSIS doesn’t necessarily understand the incentives of an MP, and the MP doesn’t really understand what CSIS does, then that’s when these dilemmas happen,” she said.
Given that lack of public information, Carvin said CSIS could provide politicians with activities or behaviours to watch for as they go about being visible in public, taking donations and meeting with constituents and interest groups.Sign up for our newsletter to get breaking news and daily digests sent to your email.“The whole foreign interference file is such a black box,” she said. “What they should be doing is giving MPs case studies.
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