Dear Editor,
Who is watching the watchers? Here in Canada, revelations about potential violations by our own spy agencies haven’t come from government oversight, they’ve come from Edward Snowden – and the Conservative government doesn’t see that as a problem.
Recently former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden leaked documents suggesting that the Communications Security Establishment of Canada (CSEC) initiated industrial espionage against Brazil’s ministry of mines and energy, and helped allies monitor leaders at a G20 summit hosted by Canada.
This activity is embarrassing, unethical and harmful to our international relations. And it underlines how the current structure for oversight of our national security and intelligence agencies is woefully inadequate.
I have reintroduced legislation to create a parliamentary committee to review the framework and activities of all the Canadian national security agencies, including CSEC, CSIS and the RCMP.
All other countries in the Five Eyes network – the alliance between Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand – established similar committees years ago.
Yet when I sought the consent of the House of Commons to advance this important bill to committee, it was blocked by the Conservatives.
Everyone else recognizes that proper, proactive oversight of our intelligence agencies is long overdue.
Wayne Easter, MP
Public Safety Critic, Liberal Party of Canada
