Foreign interference bill could have ‘chilling effect’ on freedom of expression, but also praised for economic security benefits
Bill C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act, received royal assent on June 20. But the legislation still contains loopholes that allow for secret, foreign interference in nomination contests, political party leadership contests, and elections and policymaking processes, says Democracy Watch’s Duff Conacher.
Abandoned comrades: it’s our moral obligation to support the language and cultural advisers
After playing a crucial role in Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, cultural advisers face disparity in recognition and care.
‘We’re in the dark’: CSG pushes for security clearance for Senate leaders to parse NSICOP report
Only the Canadian Senators Group has pushed to read the full NSICOP report, with the government saying access to ‘information of this nature is serious and extremely complex,’ and deciding to expand the audience ‘should not be taken lightly.’
Rethinking the NATO commitment
With a 75-year track record of 1-for-5, maybe NATO should have simply disbanded after they won the Cold War.
Canada has a procurement problem. Here’s one way to fix it
We need legislation to allow bypassing the traditional procurement process, and instead outsource the development of new solutions to the private sector and non-profits.
‘Depoliticize procurement decisions,’ say MPs in new defence report
Canada needs ‘a well-functioning defence procurement system’ with projects delivered in a timely manner, according to the report, which says that outcome should be ‘facilitated by a stable, highly skilled, and experienced defence workforce.’
Party leaders’ communications strategy on foreign interference report ‘not a positive’ for public interest, say political strategists
Canadians have no further clarity about the content of the NSICOP report because of mixed messaging from party leaders, say Garry Keller and Yaroslav Baran. Keller says the messaging has been ‘awful’ and is now sowing doubt and discord in the House and among Canadians.
Political leaders should not put interests of parties over interests of the country
The House may be adjourned for the summer, but the sensational claims that some parliamentarians have been ‘semi-witting or witting’ players with foreign states to interfere in our politics will continue to hang over this Parliament.
Hogue says nominations a ‘gateway’ for foreign interference, but Marland says parties ‘wary about the state having rules limiting what they do’
Jacques Shore, a former director of research for Security Intelligence Review Committee, said he ‘applauds’ Parliament for passing C-70, but said ‘we missed an opportunity’ by not also bringing nominations under the Canada Elections Act.
Info watchdog, Defence Minister Blair keep clashing in court cases over access law compliance
Canada’s information watchdog is resorting to ‘an extraordinary remedy’ before the federal bench to force Defence Minister Bill Blair to make his department follow the law and release records.
