OTTAWA-In a surprise move, Canada’s chief spy stood by his comments that some Canadian politicians are being unduly influenced by foreign power.
But while telling a parliamentary committee he regrets making the candid remarks, Richard Fadden said emphatically he would not resign his position as CSIS director because he violated no law. Expected to back away from comments made in a recent television interview, Fadden instead told the committee “it is a concern and a threat.”
“It is more common here and elsewhere than many think and it is desirable that this threat should be known and discussed,” Fadden told MPs on the public safe and national security committee. “I stand by my general message on foreign influence.”
In a speech recorded by the CBC TV and in follow up questions with CBC’s The National, Fadden said that some Canadian politicians, including unnamed provincial cabinet ministers, and municipal employees are under the influence of foreign governments. While he did not offer details, he indicated the foreign influence was related to Asia.
Fadden was upbraided for smearing politicians across the country to which he said he regretted making his comments public.
Speaking from prepared notes Monday, the CSIS director said foreign interference happens when foreign agents attempt to “influence the opinion, views and decisions of Canadians with the aim to obtaining a political, policy or economic advantage.” Fadden emphasized that his candid comments in no way threatened national security.
Fadden said the foreign influence does not right now constitute an immediate threat and that’s why he had not briefed the public security minister. Under questioning, Fadden refused Monday to name the provincial cabinet ministers or B.C municipal politicians who are allegedly under foreign influence.
However, he said he would be telling the Conservative government shortly. Fadden told the committee he lost track of the fact that CBC was recording the speech he gave to the Royal Canadian Military in Toronto on March 26, when he first publicly raised the issue of foreign influence.
Fadden told MPs he should not have been so candid during his speech and subsequent interviews with CBC. However, he said, “I really didn’t think I was giving away any state secrets.”
Fadden’s televised comments were surprising in their apparent breach of international diplomacy and domestic politics, and risked Canadian relations with China the day before an official visit by President Hu Jintao.
Bloc Quebecois MP Maria Mourani hammered away at the chief spy, accusing him of tarring politicians everywhere and that he knew exactly what he was doing given his extensive experienced. “I am flabbergasted … you would give yourself permission to make these comments,” she said.
Fadden’s televised comments were surprising in their apparent breach of international diplomacy and domestic politics, and risked Canadian relations with China the day before an official visit by President Hu Jintao.
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