Privacy Council Office. Image credit: Twitter page of @PrivyCouncilCA
Ottawa/CMEDIA: After learning about allegations of foreign interference in the last two Canadian elections, both federal agencies tasked with reviewing what the Liberal government and security agencies knew were not permitted rights by the Privy Council Office (PCO), agency safeguarding those records to review cabinet records, media reports said.
Last fall the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) complained to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau its inability to complete previous investigations into intelligence matters due to the lack of access to cabinet documents.
In this case, it’s more important for National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) to see cabinet records with appropriately safeguarding them because it contains the flow of information to decision-makers. a former clerk of the Privy Council reportedly said.
Meanwhile, an intelligence expert said a transparent investigation would be improper for the government to promise.
Underscored that Canadians need to have faith in their institutions and deserve answers and transparency, Trudeau said he reportedly spoke with the heads of NSICOP and NSIRA in setting up the framework for the reviews on March 6, 2023.
Canada’s former governor general David Johnston, reiterated that the work of both committees is crucial to the work of the special rapporteur on election interference.
Johnston is expected to advise the Liberal government on its next steps in response to the political controversy that has shaken public trust in the integrity of Canada’s electoral system.
#Canada; #FederalAgencies; #foreignelectioninterference; #PrivyCouncilOffice; #DavidJohnston
