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Thursday, November 21, 2024
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Phil Gurski

Phil Gurski worked for more than 30 years as an intelligence analyst in Canada, including 15 at CSIS. He is the author of The Threat from Within: Recognizing Al Qaeda-inspired Radicalization and Terrorism in the West. He is president and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting.

A rare insight into Canada’s most secretive spy agency

  • OTTAWA—I never thought I’d see this day. My old stomping grounds, the Communications Security Establishment, also known as Canada’s “electronic spy agency,” has just
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 20, 2020
CSE chief Shelly Bruce, pictured April 8, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa at a press conference to discuss cyber threats to Canada's democratic process. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A rare insight into Canada’s most secretive spy agency

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I never thought I’d see this day. My old stomping grounds, the Communications Security Establishment, also known as Canada’s “electronic spy agency,” has just

A rare insight into Canada’s most secretive spy agency

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I never thought I’d see this day. My old stomping grounds, the Communications Security Establishment, also known as Canada’s “electronic spy agency,” has just
CSE chief Shelly Bruce, pictured April 8, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa at a press conference to discuss cyber threats to Canada's democratic process. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A rare insight into Canada’s most secretive spy agency

  • OTTAWA—I never thought I’d see this day. My old stomping grounds, the Communications Security Establishment, also known as Canada’s “electronic spy agency,” has just
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 20, 2020
CSE chief Shelly Bruce, pictured April 8, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa at a press conference to discuss cyber threats to Canada's democratic process. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A rare insight into Canada’s most secretive spy agency

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I never thought I’d see this day. My old stomping grounds, the Communications Security Establishment, also known as Canada’s “electronic spy agency,” has just

A rare insight into Canada’s most secretive spy agency

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I never thought I’d see this day. My old stomping grounds, the Communications Security Establishment, also known as Canada’s “electronic spy agency,” has just
CSE chief Shelly Bruce, pictured April 8, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa at a press conference to discuss cyber threats to Canada's democratic process. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The first rule of spy club: you do not talk about spy club

  • Ottawa—It should come as no surprise to any Canadian that what our intelligence agencies do on a daily basis is rarely, if ever, disclosed
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 13, 2020
Shelly Bruce, a linguist and former intelligence analyst, leads Canada's codebreaking agency, the Communications Security Establishment. CSE, National Defence, and CSIS, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, are responsible for doing Canada's foreign intelligence work. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The first rule of spy club: you do not talk about spy club

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 13, 2020
  • Ottawa—It should come as no surprise to any Canadian that what our intelligence agencies do on a daily basis is rarely, if ever, disclosed

The first rule of spy club: you do not talk about spy club

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 13, 2020
  • Ottawa—It should come as no surprise to any Canadian that what our intelligence agencies do on a daily basis is rarely, if ever, disclosed
Shelly Bruce, a linguist and former intelligence analyst, leads Canada's codebreaking agency, the Communications Security Establishment. CSE, National Defence, and CSIS, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, are responsible for doing Canada's foreign intelligence work. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

More questions than answers on the Rideau Hall ‘incident’

  • In the wake of a strange Canada Day 2020—thanks COVID-19!—we did have some excitement this year, just not what we wanted or expected. On
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 6, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured during one of the daily press conferences he held in front of Rideau Cottage, where he and his family live on the grounds of Rideau Hall, this spring. Mr. Trudeau was not home on July 2 when Manitoba man Corey Hurren forced his way onto the property with several guns, and made a threat against Mr. Trudeau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

More questions than answers on the Rideau Hall ‘incident’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 6, 2020
  • In the wake of a strange Canada Day 2020—thanks COVID-19!—we did have some excitement this year, just not what we wanted or expected. On

More questions than answers on the Rideau Hall ‘incident’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 6, 2020
  • In the wake of a strange Canada Day 2020—thanks COVID-19!—we did have some excitement this year, just not what we wanted or expected. On
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured during one of the daily press conferences he held in front of Rideau Cottage, where he and his family live on the grounds of Rideau Hall, this spring. Mr. Trudeau was not home on July 2 when Manitoba man Corey Hurren forced his way onto the property with several guns, and made a threat against Mr. Trudeau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Our problem with China is much bigger than the fate of the two Michaels

  • OTTAWA—Canadian governments are not the greatest in using the information intelligence agencies give them. You have to feel for the families of the so-called
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 6, 2020
We cannot give in to China’s bullying with respect to Michael Spavor, left, and Michael Kovrig, who have been detained by Chinese authorities since December 2018. There must be a better way that uses diplomatic pressure, including that of our allies, and still follows the tenets of international law. We all know what happens when you kowtow to the local hoodlum, writes Phil Gurski. Photographs courtesy of Twitter and the International Crisis Group

Our problem with China is much bigger than the fate of the two Michaels

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 6, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Canadian governments are not the greatest in using the information intelligence agencies give them. You have to feel for the families of the so-called

Our problem with China is much bigger than the fate of the two Michaels

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 6, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Canadian governments are not the greatest in using the information intelligence agencies give them. You have to feel for the families of the so-called
We cannot give in to China’s bullying with respect to Michael Spavor, left, and Michael Kovrig, who have been detained by Chinese authorities since December 2018. There must be a better way that uses diplomatic pressure, including that of our allies, and still follows the tenets of international law. We all know what happens when you kowtow to the local hoodlum, writes Phil Gurski. Photographs courtesy of Twitter and the International Crisis Group

Once you think you have a handle on where terrorism is going it throws you for a loop

  • OTTAWA—We have been living in a post-9/11 world now for almost two decades. The events of that fateful day led to two military invasions
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 29, 2020
Ground Zero in New York City, after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre complex in Lower Manhattan, conducted by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaida. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Once you think you have a handle on where terrorism is going it throws you for a loop

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 29, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We have been living in a post-9/11 world now for almost two decades. The events of that fateful day led to two military invasions

Once you think you have a handle on where terrorism is going it throws you for a loop

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 29, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We have been living in a post-9/11 world now for almost two decades. The events of that fateful day led to two military invasions
Ground Zero in New York City, after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre complex in Lower Manhattan, conducted by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaida. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

‘Peace in our time,’ Afghan style?

  • OTTAWA—I would imagine that few Canadians are paying attention to what is happening in Afghanistan these days, especially with the continuing lockdowns over the
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 22, 2020
Canada, of course, was among the first to join the U.S. in sending troops to hunt down the actors behind the attacks in New York and Washington. Yes, progress has been made here and there but at what cost, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Department of National Defence

‘Peace in our time,’ Afghan style?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 22, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I would imagine that few Canadians are paying attention to what is happening in Afghanistan these days, especially with the continuing lockdowns over the

‘Peace in our time,’ Afghan style?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 22, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I would imagine that few Canadians are paying attention to what is happening in Afghanistan these days, especially with the continuing lockdowns over the
Canada, of course, was among the first to join the U.S. in sending troops to hunt down the actors behind the attacks in New York and Washington. Yes, progress has been made here and there but at what cost, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Department of National Defence

Intelligence and the next pandemic

  • OTTAWA—When you work in intelligence you take your direction on what to collect or investigate from the government of the day. This applies differently
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 11, 2020
The Canadian Security Establishment building in Ottawa. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a new requirement: information on this and other viruses that can wreak havoc on our economy and our lives, as we have all witnessed over the past few months. Solid, accurate intelligence on future outbreaks can help governments prepare in advance and perhaps lead to responses that were not as fly-by-night as those for the novel coronavirus, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy Eshko Timiou/Wikipedia Commons

Intelligence and the next pandemic

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 11, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When you work in intelligence you take your direction on what to collect or investigate from the government of the day. This applies differently

Intelligence and the next pandemic

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 11, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When you work in intelligence you take your direction on what to collect or investigate from the government of the day. This applies differently
The Canadian Security Establishment building in Ottawa. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a new requirement: information on this and other viruses that can wreak havoc on our economy and our lives, as we have all witnessed over the past few months. Solid, accurate intelligence on future outbreaks can help governments prepare in advance and perhaps lead to responses that were not as fly-by-night as those for the novel coronavirus, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy Eshko Timiou/Wikipedia Commons

A rare look at what keeps CSIS up at night

  • OTTAWA—None of us should be surprised that security intelligence services are not open books. What kind of ‘secret’ intelligence agency does not have secrets?
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 4, 2020
CSIS director David Vigneault, pictured on May 13, 2019, at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee meeting on the Hill.

A rare look at what keeps CSIS up at night

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 4, 2020
  • OTTAWA—None of us should be surprised that security intelligence services are not open books. What kind of ‘secret’ intelligence agency does not have secrets?

A rare look at what keeps CSIS up at night

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 4, 2020
  • OTTAWA—None of us should be surprised that security intelligence services are not open books. What kind of ‘secret’ intelligence agency does not have secrets?
CSIS director David Vigneault, pictured on May 13, 2019, at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee meeting on the Hill.

Privacy and our spy agencies

  • OTTAWA—Why do we have intelligence agencies? Have you ever asked yourself that? The agencies, which work in this world, do so secretly for reasons I
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 1, 2020
CSIS director David Vigneault, pictured May 13, 2019, at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee meeting on the Hill. The Hill Times file photograph by Andrew Meade

Privacy and our spy agencies

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 1, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Why do we have intelligence agencies? Have you ever asked yourself that? The agencies, which work in this world, do so secretly for reasons I

Privacy and our spy agencies

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 1, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Why do we have intelligence agencies? Have you ever asked yourself that? The agencies, which work in this world, do so secretly for reasons I
CSIS director David Vigneault, pictured May 13, 2019, at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee meeting on the Hill. The Hill Times file photograph by Andrew Meade

What will terrorism look like post-COVID?

  • OTTAWA—As we continue to live through the novel coronavirus, there is certainly a lot to worry about. Will I get the illness? Will someone
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | May 20, 2020
A U.S. Special Forces Soldier, pictured Sept. 5, 2016, attached to Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, waits for nightfall prior to starting a nighttime operation. Afghan special forces and Green Berets partnered for a month-long operation. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Army

What will terrorism look like post-COVID?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | May 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—As we continue to live through the novel coronavirus, there is certainly a lot to worry about. Will I get the illness? Will someone

What will terrorism look like post-COVID?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | May 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—As we continue to live through the novel coronavirus, there is certainly a lot to worry about. Will I get the illness? Will someone
A U.S. Special Forces Soldier, pictured Sept. 5, 2016, attached to Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, waits for nightfall prior to starting a nighttime operation. Afghan special forces and Green Berets partnered for a month-long operation. Photograph courtesy of U.S. Army

Misogyny is horrible, but it is not ‘terrorism’

  • The abuse of women in society is a crime that must be condemned: we can do so without conflating it with terrorism. In this
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | May 14, 2020
A memorial for the victims of Toronto's deadly van attack in 2018. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Misogyny is horrible, but it is not ‘terrorism’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | May 14, 2020
  • The abuse of women in society is a crime that must be condemned: we can do so without conflating it with terrorism. In this

Misogyny is horrible, but it is not ‘terrorism’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | May 14, 2020
  • The abuse of women in society is a crime that must be condemned: we can do so without conflating it with terrorism. In this
A memorial for the victims of Toronto's deadly van attack in 2018. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Halting disinformation in a time of pandemic: the need to tread very carefully

  • OTTAWA—A newish term we have all begun to see much more often these days is that of “disinformation” (a.k.a. “misinformation”). We all read about
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 27, 2020
According to Privy Council President Dominic LeBlanc, the federal government is considering introducing legislation to make it an offence to knowingly spread misinformation that could harm people. And it is eliciting opposing views from MPs, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Facebook

Halting disinformation in a time of pandemic: the need to tread very carefully

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—A newish term we have all begun to see much more often these days is that of “disinformation” (a.k.a. “misinformation”). We all read about

Halting disinformation in a time of pandemic: the need to tread very carefully

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—A newish term we have all begun to see much more often these days is that of “disinformation” (a.k.a. “misinformation”). We all read about
According to Privy Council President Dominic LeBlanc, the federal government is considering introducing legislation to make it an offence to knowingly spread misinformation that could harm people. And it is eliciting opposing views from MPs, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Facebook

Surveillance and COVID-19: what if some of the cures raise equally challenging issues?

  • OTTAWA—Governments around the world are struggling to deal with the novel coronavirus: what if some of the cures raise equally challenging issues? I confess
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 27, 2020
As an aside, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) have teamed up on the CIRA-Canadian Shield, a protected domain name system (DNS) service, that prevents Canadians from connecting to malicious websites that might infect their devices and steal their personal information. This is seen as even more necessary than normal, insofar as COVID-19 is opening the door to all kinds of malicious online actors, writes Phil Gurski. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Surveillance and COVID-19: what if some of the cures raise equally challenging issues?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Governments around the world are struggling to deal with the novel coronavirus: what if some of the cures raise equally challenging issues? I confess

Surveillance and COVID-19: what if some of the cures raise equally challenging issues?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Governments around the world are struggling to deal with the novel coronavirus: what if some of the cures raise equally challenging issues? I confess
As an aside, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) have teamed up on the CIRA-Canadian Shield, a protected domain name system (DNS) service, that prevents Canadians from connecting to malicious websites that might infect their devices and steal their personal information. This is seen as even more necessary than normal, insofar as COVID-19 is opening the door to all kinds of malicious online actors, writes Phil Gurski. Image courtesy of Pixabay

No, Canada should not be selling arms to Saudi Arabia

  • OTTAWA—Why would any country sell weapons to a regime that saws its critics into pieces and spreads terrorist ideology around the world? The arms
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 15, 2020
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured in the Oval Office on March 14, 2017. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

No, Canada should not be selling arms to Saudi Arabia

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 15, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Why would any country sell weapons to a regime that saws its critics into pieces and spreads terrorist ideology around the world? The arms

No, Canada should not be selling arms to Saudi Arabia

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 15, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Why would any country sell weapons to a regime that saws its critics into pieces and spreads terrorist ideology around the world? The arms
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured in the Oval Office on March 14, 2017. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

What now for the environmental movement in Canada?

  • OTTAWA—Until recently, the environmental protest movement was definitely on the rise. Protests in British Columbia, Ontario, and elsewhere against the construction of the Trans
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 13, 2020
Demonstrators, pictured on Feb. 24, 2020, supporting the Wetʼsuwetʼen nation against the building of the Coastal Gasoline pipeline through their traditional territory march through downtown Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What now for the environmental movement in Canada?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Until recently, the environmental protest movement was definitely on the rise. Protests in British Columbia, Ontario, and elsewhere against the construction of the Trans

What now for the environmental movement in Canada?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Until recently, the environmental protest movement was definitely on the rise. Protests in British Columbia, Ontario, and elsewhere against the construction of the Trans
Demonstrators, pictured on Feb. 24, 2020, supporting the Wetʼsuwetʼen nation against the building of the Coastal Gasoline pipeline through their traditional territory march through downtown Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Peace in Afghanistan? Not likely in our time

  • OTTAWA—I am sure that you have all heard the Pottery Barn rule, right? It says, “if you break it you buy it.” In other
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 6, 2020
U.S. marines, pictured on Dec. 25, 2001, in Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

Peace in Afghanistan? Not likely in our time

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 6, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I am sure that you have all heard the Pottery Barn rule, right? It says, “if you break it you buy it.” In other

Peace in Afghanistan? Not likely in our time

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | April 6, 2020
  • OTTAWA—I am sure that you have all heard the Pottery Barn rule, right? It says, “if you break it you buy it.” In other
U.S. marines, pictured on Dec. 25, 2001, in Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

What role for Canadian intelligence during the COVID-19 crisis?

  • OTTAWA—We see our intelligence sector as there to protect us from threats like terrorism and foreign espionage—what about pandemics? I don’t know where most
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 30, 2020
CSIS director David Vigneault, pictured at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee on May 13, 2019. CSIS is mandated to advise the government on the following threats, as outlined in the CSIS Act: espionage or sabotage; foreign-influenced activities that are clandestine or deceptive or involve a threat to any person; acts of serious violence against persons or property for the purpose of achieving a political, religious, or ideological objective; and acts that could lead to the destruction or overthrow by violence of, the constitutionally established system of Government in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What role for Canadian intelligence during the COVID-19 crisis?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 30, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We see our intelligence sector as there to protect us from threats like terrorism and foreign espionage—what about pandemics? I don’t know where most

What role for Canadian intelligence during the COVID-19 crisis?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 30, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We see our intelligence sector as there to protect us from threats like terrorism and foreign espionage—what about pandemics? I don’t know where most
CSIS director David Vigneault, pictured at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee on May 13, 2019. CSIS is mandated to advise the government on the following threats, as outlined in the CSIS Act: espionage or sabotage; foreign-influenced activities that are clandestine or deceptive or involve a threat to any person; acts of serious violence against persons or property for the purpose of achieving a political, religious, or ideological objective; and acts that could lead to the destruction or overthrow by violence of, the constitutionally established system of Government in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No, COVID-19 is not an ‘intelligence failure’

  • Intelligence organizations do a lousy job of explaining what they do to the public. They also do a lousy job of sharing how they
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 26, 2020
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is a member of the government's cabinet committee on coronavirus. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No, COVID-19 is not an ‘intelligence failure’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 26, 2020
  • Intelligence organizations do a lousy job of explaining what they do to the public. They also do a lousy job of sharing how they

No, COVID-19 is not an ‘intelligence failure’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 26, 2020
  • Intelligence organizations do a lousy job of explaining what they do to the public. They also do a lousy job of sharing how they
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is a member of the government's cabinet committee on coronavirus. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A call for humility in national security ‘expertise’

  • OTTAWA—‘Experts’ can help Canadians understand national security and public safety threats, but only if they are truly knowledgeable. One thing I have tried to
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 23, 2020
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured Sept. 17, 2019, at RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A call for humility in national security ‘expertise’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 23, 2020
  • OTTAWA—‘Experts’ can help Canadians understand national security and public safety threats, but only if they are truly knowledgeable. One thing I have tried to

A call for humility in national security ‘expertise’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 23, 2020
  • OTTAWA—‘Experts’ can help Canadians understand national security and public safety threats, but only if they are truly knowledgeable. One thing I have tried to
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured Sept. 17, 2019, at RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When will the government wake up about China?

  • OTTAWA—When I was a kid growing up in southwestern Ontario, there was one thing that was indisputable: if something bore the label ‘Made in
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 16, 2020
CSIS Director David Vigneault, pictured at the House Public Safety Committee on the Hill on May 13, 2019. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When will the government wake up about China?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 16, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When I was a kid growing up in southwestern Ontario, there was one thing that was indisputable: if something bore the label ‘Made in

When will the government wake up about China?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 16, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When I was a kid growing up in southwestern Ontario, there was one thing that was indisputable: if something bore the label ‘Made in
CSIS Director David Vigneault, pictured at the House Public Safety Committee on the Hill on May 13, 2019. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When other people’s disputes come to our shores

  • OTTAWA—There are very few countries like Canada. Warts and all—and there are a lot of warts, as we are currently witnessing, with respect to
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 9, 2020
How can we allow this to take place? In my view, this activity constitutes a threat to the security and safety of this country, as stated in the CSIS Act, and I have no idea whether my former CSIS colleagues are on this, but to its credit, the RCMP is looking into the matter, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When other people’s disputes come to our shores

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 9, 2020
  • OTTAWA—There are very few countries like Canada. Warts and all—and there are a lot of warts, as we are currently witnessing, with respect to

When other people’s disputes come to our shores

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 9, 2020
  • OTTAWA—There are very few countries like Canada. Warts and all—and there are a lot of warts, as we are currently witnessing, with respect to
How can we allow this to take place? In my view, this activity constitutes a threat to the security and safety of this country, as stated in the CSIS Act, and I have no idea whether my former CSIS colleagues are on this, but to its credit, the RCMP is looking into the matter, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Increasingly diverse makeup of Canadian resource protests: is violence around the corner?

  • OTTAWA—We all recognize the right to express dissent: so what do we do when groups espousing violence jump on the bandwagon? Looking briefly at
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 2, 2020
Ottawa Police officers, pictured in Ottawa on Feb. 24, 2020, watching demonstrators who took to the streets to support the Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs who are opposed to the $6.6-billion Coastal Gasoline pipeline through their traditional territory. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Increasingly diverse makeup of Canadian resource protests: is violence around the corner?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 2, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We all recognize the right to express dissent: so what do we do when groups espousing violence jump on the bandwagon? Looking briefly at

Increasingly diverse makeup of Canadian resource protests: is violence around the corner?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | March 2, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We all recognize the right to express dissent: so what do we do when groups espousing violence jump on the bandwagon? Looking briefly at
Ottawa Police officers, pictured in Ottawa on Feb. 24, 2020, watching demonstrators who took to the streets to support the Wetʼsuwetʼen hereditary chiefs who are opposed to the $6.6-billion Coastal Gasoline pipeline through their traditional territory. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When will Canada stand up to states that engage in terrorism against their own citizens?

  • OTTAWA—Indian Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid an official visit to Canada the week before Christmas. As he outlined in a piece for
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 24, 2020
India's Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who paid an official two-day visit to Canada on Dec. 20, 2019. As he outlined in a piece for the National Post, he argued for a 'wider and deeper Indo-Canadian enterprise,' citing shared democratic values, pluralism, civil society and a market economy. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

When will Canada stand up to states that engage in terrorism against their own citizens?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 24, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Indian Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid an official visit to Canada the week before Christmas. As he outlined in a piece for

When will Canada stand up to states that engage in terrorism against their own citizens?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 24, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Indian Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar paid an official visit to Canada the week before Christmas. As he outlined in a piece for
India's Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who paid an official two-day visit to Canada on Dec. 20, 2019. As he outlined in a piece for the National Post, he argued for a 'wider and deeper Indo-Canadian enterprise,' citing shared democratic values, pluralism, civil society and a market economy. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

The gnawing question of when to release terrorists from custody

  • OTTAWA—There is no such thing as zero-risk: we need to have systems in place to measure danger as best we can If you have
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 17, 2020
The U.K. public is in an uproar and the Boris Johnson government is rushing through legislation to amend early release for terrorists Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

The gnawing question of when to release terrorists from custody

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 17, 2020
  • OTTAWA—There is no such thing as zero-risk: we need to have systems in place to measure danger as best we can If you have

The gnawing question of when to release terrorists from custody

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 17, 2020
  • OTTAWA—There is no such thing as zero-risk: we need to have systems in place to measure danger as best we can If you have
The U.K. public is in an uproar and the Boris Johnson government is rushing through legislation to amend early release for terrorists Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

Let’s see if a new GOC ‘terrorism prosecution unit’ gets it right

  • OTTAWA—Terrorism is a hard crime to prosecute. The things that terrorists do are not so difficult: murder or attempted murder is relatively straightforward one
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 10, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Jan. 27, 2020, on the Hill, has directed the ministers of justice and public safety in their mandate letters to 'coordinate efforts to prosecute terror suspects to the fullest extent of the law' and create a new Office of Director of Terrorism Prosecutions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Let’s see if a new GOC ‘terrorism prosecution unit’ gets it right

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 10, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Terrorism is a hard crime to prosecute. The things that terrorists do are not so difficult: murder or attempted murder is relatively straightforward one

Let’s see if a new GOC ‘terrorism prosecution unit’ gets it right

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 10, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Terrorism is a hard crime to prosecute. The things that terrorists do are not so difficult: murder or attempted murder is relatively straightforward one
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Jan. 27, 2020, on the Hill, has directed the ministers of justice and public safety in their mandate letters to 'coordinate efforts to prosecute terror suspects to the fullest extent of the law' and create a new Office of Director of Terrorism Prosecutions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

So now our protectors cannot access open information?

  • We live in a world where everyone seems to want to share a lot, sometimes too much, about their lives. Whether its FaceBook or
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 3, 2020

So now our protectors cannot access open information?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 3, 2020
  • We live in a world where everyone seems to want to share a lot, sometimes too much, about their lives. Whether its FaceBook or

So now our protectors cannot access open information?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | February 3, 2020
  • We live in a world where everyone seems to want to share a lot, sometimes too much, about their lives. Whether its FaceBook or

No such thing as privacy intrusions in the age of oversharing

  • Law-enforcement and security agencies use a wealth of sources in their investigations, including openly available data. We live in a world where everyone seems
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
Those who work in national security and public safety do not profile, writes columnist Phil Gurski. Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

No such thing as privacy intrusions in the age of oversharing

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
  • Law-enforcement and security agencies use a wealth of sources in their investigations, including openly available data. We live in a world where everyone seems

No such thing as privacy intrusions in the age of oversharing

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
  • Law-enforcement and security agencies use a wealth of sources in their investigations, including openly available data. We live in a world where everyone seems
Those who work in national security and public safety do not profile, writes columnist Phil Gurski. Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
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I guess denying the Holodomor is okay with some Canadian academics

  • OTTAWA—We live in an amazingly fortunate country, don’t we? Sure, there are outstanding issues and problems we must address, but when we look at
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
Starved peasants on a street in Kharkiv, 1933. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

I guess denying the Holodomor is okay with some Canadian academics

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We live in an amazingly fortunate country, don’t we? Sure, there are outstanding issues and problems we must address, but when we look at

I guess denying the Holodomor is okay with some Canadian academics

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We live in an amazingly fortunate country, don’t we? Sure, there are outstanding issues and problems we must address, but when we look at
Starved peasants on a street in Kharkiv, 1933. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

I guess denying the Holodomor is okay with some Canadian academics

  • OTTAWA—We live in an amazingly fortunate country, don’t we? Sure, there are outstanding issues and problems we must address, but when we look at
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
Starved peasants on a street in Kharkiv, 1933. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

I guess denying the Holodomor is okay with some Canadian academics

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We live in an amazingly fortunate country, don’t we? Sure, there are outstanding issues and problems we must address, but when we look at

I guess denying the Holodomor is okay with some Canadian academics

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 20, 2020
  • OTTAWA—We live in an amazingly fortunate country, don’t we? Sure, there are outstanding issues and problems we must address, but when we look at
Starved peasants on a street in Kharkiv, 1933. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

Canadian government does not get terrorism investigations, and taxpayers foot the bill

  • Everyone is presumed innocent until found guilty, even alleged terrorists or those caught up in a terrorist investigation. But do we have to pay
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 17, 2020

Canadian government does not get terrorism investigations, and taxpayers foot the bill

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 17, 2020
  • Everyone is presumed innocent until found guilty, even alleged terrorists or those caught up in a terrorist investigation. But do we have to pay

Canadian government does not get terrorism investigations, and taxpayers foot the bill

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 17, 2020
  • Everyone is presumed innocent until found guilty, even alleged terrorists or those caught up in a terrorist investigation. But do we have to pay

We really need to stop debating whether far right or Islamist extremists are more dangerous: both need to be monitored

  • OTTAWA—When it comes to the discussion on terrorism in Canada, we are in a very fortunate position. Our country is blessedly very rarely beset
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 13, 2020
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured May 13, 2019, at the House Public Safety and Naional Security Committee meeting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We really need to stop debating whether far right or Islamist extremists are more dangerous: both need to be monitored

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When it comes to the discussion on terrorism in Canada, we are in a very fortunate position. Our country is blessedly very rarely beset

We really need to stop debating whether far right or Islamist extremists are more dangerous: both need to be monitored

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 13, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When it comes to the discussion on terrorism in Canada, we are in a very fortunate position. Our country is blessedly very rarely beset
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured May 13, 2019, at the House Public Safety and Naional Security Committee meeting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is it time to say ‘No!’ to ‘no-fly lists’?

  • OTTAWA—You have to pity Adam Ahmad, the 10-year-old boy who finds himself on Canada’s “no-fly list.” This counterterrorism tool, more informally called the ‘Passenger
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 2, 2020
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, pictured on Dec. 6, 2019, in the Commons foyer speaking with reporters after Question Period. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is it time to say ‘No!’ to ‘no-fly lists’?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 2, 2020
  • OTTAWA—You have to pity Adam Ahmad, the 10-year-old boy who finds himself on Canada’s “no-fly list.” This counterterrorism tool, more informally called the ‘Passenger

Is it time to say ‘No!’ to ‘no-fly lists’?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | January 2, 2020
  • OTTAWA—You have to pity Adam Ahmad, the 10-year-old boy who finds himself on Canada’s “no-fly list.” This counterterrorism tool, more informally called the ‘Passenger
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, pictured on Dec. 6, 2019, in the Commons foyer speaking with reporters after Question Period. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Maybe Canadians should listen to CSIS when it talks about China

  • OTTAWA—CSIS rarely says a lot openly about what it knows: when it does it should be listened to. Canadians could be said to have
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 16, 2019
CSIS Director David Vigneault, pictured May 13, 2019, on the Hill. It should come as a shock to no one that China, and more specifically Chinese influence in Canada, has been on the CSIS radar for some time, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Maybe Canadians should listen to CSIS when it talks about China

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 16, 2019
  • OTTAWA—CSIS rarely says a lot openly about what it knows: when it does it should be listened to. Canadians could be said to have

Maybe Canadians should listen to CSIS when it talks about China

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 16, 2019
  • OTTAWA—CSIS rarely says a lot openly about what it knows: when it does it should be listened to. Canadians could be said to have
CSIS Director David Vigneault, pictured May 13, 2019, on the Hill. It should come as a shock to no one that China, and more specifically Chinese influence in Canada, has been on the CSIS radar for some time, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Terrorism is terrorism

  • We tend to associate terrorism with large urban centres, but the reality is quite different. Canadian actor and comedian Jonny Harris hosts a show
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 9, 2019
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, in his new cabinet role, is expected to oversee the government's counterterrorism efforts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Terrorism is terrorism

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 9, 2019
  • We tend to associate terrorism with large urban centres, but the reality is quite different. Canadian actor and comedian Jonny Harris hosts a show

Terrorism is terrorism

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 9, 2019
  • We tend to associate terrorism with large urban centres, but the reality is quite different. Canadian actor and comedian Jonny Harris hosts a show
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, in his new cabinet role, is expected to oversee the government's counterterrorism efforts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need to combat terrorism on a number of fronts, but it’s unclear if terrorist entity listings are necessary

  • OTTAWA—Governments have a variety of tools to confront terrorism. There are, of course, the “pointy ends” of the stick, i.e., security intelligence and law
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 9, 2019
Canada's new Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, pictured on the Hill on May 15, 2019. Governments have a variety of tools to confront terrorism. There are, of course, the ‘pointy ends’ of the stick, i.e., security intelligence and law enforcement agencies upon whom we rely to detect and prevent acts of terrorism. In Canada, those organizations, CSIS and the RCMP, serve us well, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need to combat terrorism on a number of fronts, but it’s unclear if terrorist entity listings are necessary

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 9, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Governments have a variety of tools to confront terrorism. There are, of course, the “pointy ends” of the stick, i.e., security intelligence and law

We need to combat terrorism on a number of fronts, but it’s unclear if terrorist entity listings are necessary

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 9, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Governments have a variety of tools to confront terrorism. There are, of course, the “pointy ends” of the stick, i.e., security intelligence and law
Canada's new Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, pictured on the Hill on May 15, 2019. Governments have a variety of tools to confront terrorism. There are, of course, the ‘pointy ends’ of the stick, i.e., security intelligence and law enforcement agencies upon whom we rely to detect and prevent acts of terrorism. In Canada, those organizations, CSIS and the RCMP, serve us well, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The ugly side of climate change denial may lead to violence

  • OTTAWA—Is it possible that some who are not convinced climate change is real could become extremists? They say all is fair in love and
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 2, 2019
Liberal MP Catherine McKenna, pictured on Oct. 24, 2019, speaking to reporters about the vulgar slur spray-painted on her campaign office door, three after getting re-elected. The former federal environment minister is now the minister of infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The ugly side of climate change denial may lead to violence

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 2, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Is it possible that some who are not convinced climate change is real could become extremists? They say all is fair in love and

The ugly side of climate change denial may lead to violence

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | December 2, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Is it possible that some who are not convinced climate change is real could become extremists? They say all is fair in love and
Liberal MP Catherine McKenna, pictured on Oct. 24, 2019, speaking to reporters about the vulgar slur spray-painted on her campaign office door, three after getting re-elected. The former federal environment minister is now the minister of infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Maxime Bernier shutout is a good sign

  • OTTAWA—The recent Canadian federal election bucked Western trends by rejecting populism—and that is indeed a good thing If you have been following elections in
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 25, 2019
People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier, pictured on Oct. 7, 2019, arriving at the English-language televised leaders' debate in Gatineau, Que. Despite the party’s inability to send a single MP to Ottawa it did garner just shy of 300,000 votes (1.6 per cent of the total votes cast). The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Maxime Bernier shutout is a good sign

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 25, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The recent Canadian federal election bucked Western trends by rejecting populism—and that is indeed a good thing If you have been following elections in

Maxime Bernier shutout is a good sign

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 25, 2019
  • OTTAWA—The recent Canadian federal election bucked Western trends by rejecting populism—and that is indeed a good thing If you have been following elections in
People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier, pictured on Oct. 7, 2019, arriving at the English-language televised leaders' debate in Gatineau, Que. Despite the party’s inability to send a single MP to Ottawa it did garner just shy of 300,000 votes (1.6 per cent of the total votes cast). The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is Don Cherry a right-wing extremist?

  • OTTAWA—First things first, I am a lifelong hockey fan. As a teen and beyond, I would watch Hockey Night in Canada almost religiously. I
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 18, 2019
Don Cherry, right, and Ron MacLean. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Is Don Cherry a right-wing extremist?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—First things first, I am a lifelong hockey fan. As a teen and beyond, I would watch Hockey Night in Canada almost religiously. I

Is Don Cherry a right-wing extremist?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 18, 2019
  • OTTAWA—First things first, I am a lifelong hockey fan. As a teen and beyond, I would watch Hockey Night in Canada almost religiously. I
Don Cherry, right, and Ron MacLean. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Should Canadians worry about #Wexit from an extremism perspective?

  • OTTAWA—I have always been fascinated by hashtags on social media. In particular, I wonder who creates them, why certain ones gain popularity and what
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 11, 2019

Should Canadians worry about #Wexit from an extremism perspective?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 11, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I have always been fascinated by hashtags on social media. In particular, I wonder who creates them, why certain ones gain popularity and what

Should Canadians worry about #Wexit from an extremism perspective?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 11, 2019
  • OTTAWA—I have always been fascinated by hashtags on social media. In particular, I wonder who creates them, why certain ones gain popularity and what

How do we determine when a terrorist act has taken place?

  • OTTAWA—A man gets into a car and drives madly down the road. He swerves here and there, picking his targets. He strikes a person,
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 4, 2019
Abdulahi Hasan Sharif was found guilty of all charges laid against him in the 2017 Edmonton attacks on a police officer who was stabbed and four pedestrians run down by a U-Haul van. But was this possibly something a little more than an attempted murder? Is it possible that the motivation that underlay Sharif’s actions placed it, under the Canadian Criminal Code's provisions for terrorist activity, writes Phil Gurski. Screen capture courtesdy of Global News Edmonton

How do we determine when a terrorist act has taken place?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—A man gets into a car and drives madly down the road. He swerves here and there, picking his targets. He strikes a person,

How do we determine when a terrorist act has taken place?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 4, 2019
  • OTTAWA—A man gets into a car and drives madly down the road. He swerves here and there, picking his targets. He strikes a person,
Abdulahi Hasan Sharif was found guilty of all charges laid against him in the 2017 Edmonton attacks on a police officer who was stabbed and four pedestrians run down by a U-Haul van. But was this possibly something a little more than an attempted murder? Is it possible that the motivation that underlay Sharif’s actions placed it, under the Canadian Criminal Code's provisions for terrorist activity, writes Phil Gurski. Screen capture courtesdy of Global News Edmonton

National security priorities for the Liberal minority government

  • OTTAWA—Many pundits remarked that we saw neither hide nor hair of anything related to national security or foreign policy in the platforms of any
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 28, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Oct. 23, 2019, after holding his first press conference since winning his second term in government on Monday, Oct. 21. There are many challenges facing Canadians and it will not be easy to prioritize them. Still, is it not important to ensure a secure environment for all of us? I think so and I hope the Liberals do as well, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

National security priorities for the Liberal minority government

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Many pundits remarked that we saw neither hide nor hair of anything related to national security or foreign policy in the platforms of any

National security priorities for the Liberal minority government

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 28, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Many pundits remarked that we saw neither hide nor hair of anything related to national security or foreign policy in the platforms of any
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Oct. 23, 2019, after holding his first press conference since winning his second term in government on Monday, Oct. 21. There are many challenges facing Canadians and it will not be easy to prioritize them. Still, is it not important to ensure a secure environment for all of us? I think so and I hope the Liberals do as well, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CSIS is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t

  • OTTAWA—So, what comes to your mind when you think about spy agencies? I would guess openness and transparency are not at the top of
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 21, 2019
CSIS Director David Vigneault, pictured May 13, 2019, appearing at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CSIS is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—So, what comes to your mind when you think about spy agencies? I would guess openness and transparency are not at the top of

CSIS is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 21, 2019
  • OTTAWA—So, what comes to your mind when you think about spy agencies? I would guess openness and transparency are not at the top of
CSIS Director David Vigneault, pictured May 13, 2019, appearing at the House Public Safety and National Security Committee. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What role, if any, do security issues play in the 2019 election campaign?

  • OTTAWA—They don’t call Canada “the peaceable kingdom” for nothing. Yes, we have our problems with violence—gun crime is a growing concern, for example—but we
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 7, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. All in all, there is little need perhaps to have national security and public safety take centre stage in the lead-up to October. Even if we are not immune from threats, we are in a good space. And that is worth celebrating, irrespective of whom you vote for, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade Meade and Cynthia Münster

What role, if any, do security issues play in the 2019 election campaign?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—They don’t call Canada “the peaceable kingdom” for nothing. Yes, we have our problems with violence—gun crime is a growing concern, for example—but we

What role, if any, do security issues play in the 2019 election campaign?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 7, 2019
  • OTTAWA—They don’t call Canada “the peaceable kingdom” for nothing. Yes, we have our problems with violence—gun crime is a growing concern, for example—but we
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. All in all, there is little need perhaps to have national security and public safety take centre stage in the lead-up to October. Even if we are not immune from threats, we are in a good space. And that is worth celebrating, irrespective of whom you vote for, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade Meade and Cynthia Münster

Haters gotta hate, hate, hate on Bernier

  • Pity poor Maxime Bernier. The leader of the People’s Party of Canada, who came within a hair’s breadth of becoming head honcho of the
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 3, 2019
People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier's year-old party has a tendency to attract individuals who inhabit the spectrum we associate with the far right, or white supremacist, or neo-Nazi or anti-fill-in-the-blank crowd, writes columnist Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Haters gotta hate, hate, hate on Bernier

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 3, 2019
  • Pity poor Maxime Bernier. The leader of the People’s Party of Canada, who came within a hair’s breadth of becoming head honcho of the

Haters gotta hate, hate, hate on Bernier

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 3, 2019
  • Pity poor Maxime Bernier. The leader of the People’s Party of Canada, who came within a hair’s breadth of becoming head honcho of the
People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier's year-old party has a tendency to attract individuals who inhabit the spectrum we associate with the far right, or white supremacist, or neo-Nazi or anti-fill-in-the-blank crowd, writes columnist Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The spy next door

  • OTTAWA—Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. Our fearless leader, the man of the 2010s, the feminist international heartthrob, Justin Trudeau, appears to
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 30, 2019
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured on Sept. 17, 2019, in Ottawa at RCMP Headquarters, providing a short update on the matter related to the ongoing investigation, arrest and charges against Cameron Ortis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The spy next door

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 30, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. Our fearless leader, the man of the 2010s, the feminist international heartthrob, Justin Trudeau, appears to

The spy next door

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 30, 2019
  • OTTAWA—Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. Our fearless leader, the man of the 2010s, the feminist international heartthrob, Justin Trudeau, appears to
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured on Sept. 17, 2019, in Ottawa at RCMP Headquarters, providing a short update on the matter related to the ongoing investigation, arrest and charges against Cameron Ortis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Mounties get their man, and he’s one of their own

  • OTTAWA–The world of intelligence is, by definition, a murky one. Most times what our spies do is only shared with those who have a
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 23, 2019
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured Sept. 17, 2019, at RCMP headquarters in Ottawa, providing a short update on the matter related to the ongoing investigation, arrest, and charges against Cameron Ortis. Mr. Ortis may have compromised one or more of three things: sources, methods or ongoing operations. These are the crown jewels of intelligence and law enforcement agencies and must be protected at all costs. That they may have been leaked is not good, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Mounties get their man, and he’s one of their own

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 23, 2019
  • OTTAWA–The world of intelligence is, by definition, a murky one. Most times what our spies do is only shared with those who have a

The Mounties get their man, and he’s one of their own

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 23, 2019
  • OTTAWA–The world of intelligence is, by definition, a murky one. Most times what our spies do is only shared with those who have a
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, pictured Sept. 17, 2019, at RCMP headquarters in Ottawa, providing a short update on the matter related to the ongoing investigation, arrest, and charges against Cameron Ortis. Mr. Ortis may have compromised one or more of three things: sources, methods or ongoing operations. These are the crown jewels of intelligence and law enforcement agencies and must be protected at all costs. That they may have been leaked is not good, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Something’s not right about the Joshua Boyle saga

  • OTTAWA—There was once a Canadian prime minister named Trudeau who stated “there’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” This
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 16, 2019
The Washington Post's story on Sept. 7, 2019. Screen shot image of The Washington Post

Something’s not right about the Joshua Boyle saga

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 16, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There was once a Canadian prime minister named Trudeau who stated “there’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” This

Something’s not right about the Joshua Boyle saga

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 16, 2019
  • OTTAWA—There was once a Canadian prime minister named Trudeau who stated “there’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” This
The Washington Post's story on Sept. 7, 2019. Screen shot image of The Washington Post

A small victory in the war against violent hate or a slippery slope to censorship?

  • OTTAWA—We all believe that hate is on the rise. Whether it is statements made (and later denied) by presidents who shall remain nameless or
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 9, 2019
Anti-racism protesters, pictured Aug. 23, 2017, outside the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. Is hate in the eye/ear of the beholder? Should we just follow the U.S. lead where that nation’s first amendment protects pretty much everything? I am not so sure Canadians would be okay with that. We do not have a lot of time to ponder this challenge. We will see more acts of terrorist violence that grew out of hateful views, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

A small victory in the war against violent hate or a slippery slope to censorship?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 9, 2019
  • OTTAWA—We all believe that hate is on the rise. Whether it is statements made (and later denied) by presidents who shall remain nameless or

A small victory in the war against violent hate or a slippery slope to censorship?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 9, 2019
  • OTTAWA—We all believe that hate is on the rise. Whether it is statements made (and later denied) by presidents who shall remain nameless or
Anti-racism protesters, pictured Aug. 23, 2017, outside the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. Is hate in the eye/ear of the beholder? Should we just follow the U.S. lead where that nation’s first amendment protects pretty much everything? I am not so sure Canadians would be okay with that. We do not have a lot of time to ponder this challenge. We will see more acts of terrorist violence that grew out of hateful views, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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