Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Search
Close this search box.
Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Search
Close this search box.
Friday, November 22, 2024
Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989
Latest Paper
Friday, November 22, 2024 | Latest Paper
Subscribe Now

TRENDING:

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
More Stories

Is there a need for longer jail sentences in terrorism cases?

  • OTTAWA—For a country that is thankfully rarely touched by terrorism, we in Canada sure seem to talk about it a lot. I suppose I
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 5, 2018
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured last week on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is there a need for longer jail sentences in terrorism cases?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 5, 2018
  • OTTAWA—For a country that is thankfully rarely touched by terrorism, we in Canada sure seem to talk about it a lot. I suppose I

Is there a need for longer jail sentences in terrorism cases?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | November 5, 2018
  • OTTAWA—For a country that is thankfully rarely touched by terrorism, we in Canada sure seem to talk about it a lot. I suppose I
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured last week on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When rogue regimes are in the mind and wallet of the beholder

  • OTTAWA—Now that we are four weeks and counting away from the ‘incident’ involving Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi at the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul, I
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 29, 2018
Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, a former Wall Street Journal columnist, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 2, sparking international outrage. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

When rogue regimes are in the mind and wallet of the beholder

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 29, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Now that we are four weeks and counting away from the ‘incident’ involving Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi at the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul, I

When rogue regimes are in the mind and wallet of the beholder

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 29, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Now that we are four weeks and counting away from the ‘incident’ involving Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi at the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul, I
Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, a former Wall Street Journal columnist, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 2, sparking international outrage. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

China’s repressive actions against the Uyghurs are undermining national security

  • OTTAWA—Imagine, if you will, the following scenario. In the wake of two successful terrorist attacks in October 2014, in which two innocent Canadians were
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 22, 2018
Protesters, pictured in Berlin, Germany, in 2009, against the persecution of Muslims in Uyghur. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

China’s repressive actions against the Uyghurs are undermining national security

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 22, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Imagine, if you will, the following scenario. In the wake of two successful terrorist attacks in October 2014, in which two innocent Canadians were

China’s repressive actions against the Uyghurs are undermining national security

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 22, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Imagine, if you will, the following scenario. In the wake of two successful terrorist attacks in October 2014, in which two innocent Canadians were
Protesters, pictured in Berlin, Germany, in 2009, against the persecution of Muslims in Uyghur. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

Is the far right extremist threat really that big in Canada?

  • OTTAWA—There is no question that when the topic around the water cooler turns to terrorism—not that I hope or think that it often does, but
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 15, 2018
Our security and law enforcement agencies will have to give this a great deal of thought as they strive to keep us safe. Whether or not this necessitates a significant shift from Islamist extremist investigations to right-wing ones is a question that has yet to be answered, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is the far right extremist threat really that big in Canada?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 15, 2018
  • OTTAWA—There is no question that when the topic around the water cooler turns to terrorism—not that I hope or think that it often does, but

Is the far right extremist threat really that big in Canada?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 15, 2018
  • OTTAWA—There is no question that when the topic around the water cooler turns to terrorism—not that I hope or think that it often does, but
Our security and law enforcement agencies will have to give this a great deal of thought as they strive to keep us safe. Whether or not this necessitates a significant shift from Islamist extremist investigations to right-wing ones is a question that has yet to be answered, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why intelligence services need access to your phone

  • OTTAWA—How many of you recall the terrorist attack in San Bernardino back in December 2015? An Islamist terrorist couple went into a California health
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 8, 2018
The Senate's National Security Committee, pictured in this file photograph. If CSIS or the RCMP can make a case that an ongoing investigation into a serious threat can only go forward with access to data they cannot currently read, they can go before a Federal Court judge and make that case, much as they currently do for other intercept warrants, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times file photograph

Why intelligence services need access to your phone

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 8, 2018
  • OTTAWA—How many of you recall the terrorist attack in San Bernardino back in December 2015? An Islamist terrorist couple went into a California health

Why intelligence services need access to your phone

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 8, 2018
  • OTTAWA—How many of you recall the terrorist attack in San Bernardino back in December 2015? An Islamist terrorist couple went into a California health
The Senate's National Security Committee, pictured in this file photograph. If CSIS or the RCMP can make a case that an ongoing investigation into a serious threat can only go forward with access to data they cannot currently read, they can go before a Federal Court judge and make that case, much as they currently do for other intercept warrants, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times file photograph

The balance between countering terrorism and free speech

  • OTTAWA—In 1964, U.S. Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart came up with a now famous comment that has become a meme (not that there were
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 1, 2018
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, left, and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured May 7, 2018, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. CSIS, the RCMP, and other investigative bodies need to know who is involved in extremist activity and monitoring online postings is part of that task. Leaving extremist material up is often an important part in building a case to take to court. The government is thus stuck between a rock and a hard place, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The balance between countering terrorism and free speech

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 1, 2018
  • OTTAWA—In 1964, U.S. Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart came up with a now famous comment that has become a meme (not that there were

The balance between countering terrorism and free speech

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | October 1, 2018
  • OTTAWA—In 1964, U.S. Supreme Court justice Potter Stewart came up with a now famous comment that has become a meme (not that there were
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, left, and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured May 7, 2018, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. CSIS, the RCMP, and other investigative bodies need to know who is involved in extremist activity and monitoring online postings is part of that task. Leaving extremist material up is often an important part in building a case to take to court. The government is thus stuck between a rock and a hard place, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What role should the military have in the ‘war on terrorism’?

  • OTTAWA—We are now in year 17 of the “war on terrorism.” After the catastrophic terrorist attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, the
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 24, 2018
The late Osama bin Laden, left, pictured in 2001. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

What role should the military have in the ‘war on terrorism’?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 24, 2018
  • OTTAWA—We are now in year 17 of the “war on terrorism.” After the catastrophic terrorist attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, the

What role should the military have in the ‘war on terrorism’?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 24, 2018
  • OTTAWA—We are now in year 17 of the “war on terrorism.” After the catastrophic terrorist attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, the
The late Osama bin Laden, left, pictured in 2001. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

Please stop saying terrorism is ‘defeated’

  • OTTAWA—At the risk of engaging in pure self promotion, I would like to announce that my fourth book on terrorism, entitled, An End to
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 17, 2018
Recent Islamist extremist history has taught us that the exit of one group—say al-Qaida—merely creates a vacuum for another—say the Islamic State. Further complicating matters is the fact that a ‘retired’ player sometimes goes back to work. Many analysts these days talk of an al-Qaida 3.0. So much for the defeat of AQ, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Please stop saying terrorism is ‘defeated’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 17, 2018
  • OTTAWA—At the risk of engaging in pure self promotion, I would like to announce that my fourth book on terrorism, entitled, An End to

Please stop saying terrorism is ‘defeated’

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 17, 2018
  • OTTAWA—At the risk of engaging in pure self promotion, I would like to announce that my fourth book on terrorism, entitled, An End to
Recent Islamist extremist history has taught us that the exit of one group—say al-Qaida—merely creates a vacuum for another—say the Islamic State. Further complicating matters is the fact that a ‘retired’ player sometimes goes back to work. Many analysts these days talk of an al-Qaida 3.0. So much for the defeat of AQ, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

What’s with Islamophobia in Quebec?

  • OTTAWA—“Islam should be banned like we ban pit bulls.” You read that right. This was a Twitter post by an erstwhile candidate for the Parti
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 10, 2018
Alexandre Bissonnette, who suffers with mental illness for years and wanted to kill, murdered six Muslim men in a Québec City mosque in January 2017. Phil Gurski writes racism is racism and has no part in Canada. 'Let’s not bury our heads in the sand over this.'

What’s with Islamophobia in Quebec?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 10, 2018
  • OTTAWA—“Islam should be banned like we ban pit bulls.” You read that right. This was a Twitter post by an erstwhile candidate for the Parti

What’s with Islamophobia in Quebec?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 10, 2018
  • OTTAWA—“Islam should be banned like we ban pit bulls.” You read that right. This was a Twitter post by an erstwhile candidate for the Parti
Alexandre Bissonnette, who suffers with mental illness for years and wanted to kill, murdered six Muslim men in a Québec City mosque in January 2017. Phil Gurski writes racism is racism and has no part in Canada. 'Let’s not bury our heads in the sand over this.'

Would-be Canadian terrorists are often made in Canada

  • OTTAWA—What is a citizen? Well, it depends. The concept appears to date back to city states in ancient Greece, but in the modern era
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 3, 2018
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale was assigned to establish the Office of the Community Outreach and Counter-radicalization Coordinator by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2015. He has so far been unable to do so. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Would-be Canadian terrorists are often made in Canada

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 3, 2018
  • OTTAWA—What is a citizen? Well, it depends. The concept appears to date back to city states in ancient Greece, but in the modern era

Would-be Canadian terrorists are often made in Canada

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | September 3, 2018
  • OTTAWA—What is a citizen? Well, it depends. The concept appears to date back to city states in ancient Greece, but in the modern era
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale was assigned to establish the Office of the Community Outreach and Counter-radicalization Coordinator by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2015. He has so far been unable to do so. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CSIS should also help block foreign meddling in our elections

  • OTTAWA—Whatever side you take on the investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into whether the Trump campaign team colluded with Russia to influence
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 27, 2018
Shelly Bruce, the chief of Canada's Communications Security Establishment, is one of the lead players advising the government on who may try to undermine the next federal election, and how. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CSIS should also help block foreign meddling in our elections

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 27, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Whatever side you take on the investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into whether the Trump campaign team colluded with Russia to influence

CSIS should also help block foreign meddling in our elections

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 27, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Whatever side you take on the investigation by former FBI Director Robert Mueller into whether the Trump campaign team colluded with Russia to influence
Shelly Bruce, the chief of Canada's Communications Security Establishment, is one of the lead players advising the government on who may try to undermine the next federal election, and how. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How much airport security is too much?

  • OTTAWA—Is there any less desirable way to travel these days than by air? Long lineups everywhere, intrusive searches, the delicate dance of holding up
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 20, 2018
Travellers move through Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Security screening at airports has increased dramatically in the years since the 9/11 terror attacks. Photograph by Dan Zen, courtesy of Flickr

How much airport security is too much?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 20, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Is there any less desirable way to travel these days than by air? Long lineups everywhere, intrusive searches, the delicate dance of holding up

How much airport security is too much?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 20, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Is there any less desirable way to travel these days than by air? Long lineups everywhere, intrusive searches, the delicate dance of holding up
Travellers move through Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Security screening at airports has increased dramatically in the years since the 9/11 terror attacks. Photograph by Dan Zen, courtesy of Flickr

Canada should do the right thing and bring Afghan interpreters to safety

  • OTTAWA—I may not be a military expert and I am certainly not as knowledgeable as Scott Taylor, whose column often appears online right above
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 13, 2018
There needs to be a better response than that provided by the department led by Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, pictured in the House of Commons foyer, which said there are ‘no special measures for Afghan interpreters’ currently planned, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada should do the right thing and bring Afghan interpreters to safety

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 13, 2018
  • OTTAWA—I may not be a military expert and I am certainly not as knowledgeable as Scott Taylor, whose column often appears online right above

Canada should do the right thing and bring Afghan interpreters to safety

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 13, 2018
  • OTTAWA—I may not be a military expert and I am certainly not as knowledgeable as Scott Taylor, whose column often appears online right above
There needs to be a better response than that provided by the department led by Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, pictured in the House of Commons foyer, which said there are ‘no special measures for Afghan interpreters’ currently planned, writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

An ugly side to Canada that does nothing to make us safer

  • OTTAWA—Well, it’s been more than two weeks since the mass shooting in Toronto’s Greektown and we’ve been subject to countless voices in the media
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 6, 2018
Public Safety Ralph Goodale, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, said repeatedly that there is no 'national security nexus' to the case. Translation: the killer was either not known to CSIS or the RCMP in connection with terrorism, or, if he had been, he was assessed as not a significant threat to public safety. But even this is not enough for the hoi polloi who smell a coverup or simply conclude that the Trudeau government is 'soft on terror,' writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andew Meade

An ugly side to Canada that does nothing to make us safer

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 6, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Well, it’s been more than two weeks since the mass shooting in Toronto’s Greektown and we’ve been subject to countless voices in the media

An ugly side to Canada that does nothing to make us safer

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | August 6, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Well, it’s been more than two weeks since the mass shooting in Toronto’s Greektown and we’ve been subject to countless voices in the media
Public Safety Ralph Goodale, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, said repeatedly that there is no 'national security nexus' to the case. Translation: the killer was either not known to CSIS or the RCMP in connection with terrorism, or, if he had been, he was assessed as not a significant threat to public safety. But even this is not enough for the hoi polloi who smell a coverup or simply conclude that the Trudeau government is 'soft on terror,' writes Phil Gurski. The Hill Times photograph by Andew Meade

Contrary to accepted wisdom, terrorism can be detected early enough to prevent

  • OTTAWA—In the wake of an attack, whether it be terrorist in nature or a mass shooting/stabbing/vehicle ramming incident, we often read comments and statements
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 30, 2018
Public Safety Ralph Goodale, pictured May 18, 2018, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Contrary to accepted wisdom, terrorism can be detected early enough to prevent

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 30, 2018
  • OTTAWA—In the wake of an attack, whether it be terrorist in nature or a mass shooting/stabbing/vehicle ramming incident, we often read comments and statements

Contrary to accepted wisdom, terrorism can be detected early enough to prevent

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 30, 2018
  • OTTAWA—In the wake of an attack, whether it be terrorist in nature or a mass shooting/stabbing/vehicle ramming incident, we often read comments and statements
Public Safety Ralph Goodale, pictured May 18, 2018, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Neve’s suggestion regarding immigration to Canada undermines security

  • OTTAWA—I have been a supporter of Amnesty International and its work for decades. I admire the positions it adopts and the advocacy it employs
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 23, 2018
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, pictured in a Hill scrum. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Neve’s suggestion regarding immigration to Canada undermines security

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 23, 2018
  • OTTAWA—I have been a supporter of Amnesty International and its work for decades. I admire the positions it adopts and the advocacy it employs

Neve’s suggestion regarding immigration to Canada undermines security

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 23, 2018
  • OTTAWA—I have been a supporter of Amnesty International and its work for decades. I admire the positions it adopts and the advocacy it employs
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, pictured in a Hill scrum. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No, CSIS does not ‘target’ Muslims with no accountability

  • OTTAWA—There are times when you read something that makes your blood boil and demands a response. One such time occurred to me last week
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 16, 2018

No, CSIS does not ‘target’ Muslims with no accountability

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 16, 2018
  • OTTAWA—There are times when you read something that makes your blood boil and demands a response. One such time occurred to me last week

No, CSIS does not ‘target’ Muslims with no accountability

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 16, 2018
  • OTTAWA—There are times when you read something that makes your blood boil and demands a response. One such time occurred to me last week

Why wasn’t the Air India terrorist attack prevented?

  • OTTAWA—A week ago, a relatively small crowd in Vancouver’s Stanley Park commemorated the single greatest terrorist attack in history (as determined by deaths) prior to 9/11.
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 9, 2018
The Air India Flight was bombed at 31,000 feet in Irish airspace and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Irish Naval Service pictured recovering bodies from the Air India Flight 182 disaster. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

Why wasn’t the Air India terrorist attack prevented?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 9, 2018
  • OTTAWA—A week ago, a relatively small crowd in Vancouver’s Stanley Park commemorated the single greatest terrorist attack in history (as determined by deaths) prior to 9/11.

Why wasn’t the Air India terrorist attack prevented?

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 9, 2018
  • OTTAWA—A week ago, a relatively small crowd in Vancouver’s Stanley Park commemorated the single greatest terrorist attack in history (as determined by deaths) prior to 9/11.
The Air India Flight was bombed at 31,000 feet in Irish airspace and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Irish Naval Service pictured recovering bodies from the Air India Flight 182 disaster. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

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

  • OTTAWA—Here is a fundamental question for Canadians: what do you want from your security intelligence service? What are your expectations of CSIS, an agency
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 2, 2018
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, is the political minister responsible for CSIS. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 2, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Here is a fundamental question for Canadians: what do you want from your security intelligence service? What are your expectations of CSIS, an agency

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

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | July 2, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Here is a fundamental question for Canadians: what do you want from your security intelligence service? What are your expectations of CSIS, an agency
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, is the political minister responsible for CSIS. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The implications of the U.S.-Canada tiff for national security

  • OTTAWA—Canada and the U.S. cooperate on many issues in many forums: the G7 (even with the recent horror show, thanks to the U.S. president),
Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 25, 2018
Donald Trump, pictured June 8, arriving at the aiport in Bagotville, Que., for the G7 Sumit. The 'Five Eyes' community has been a huge success for all of its member nations and there is little justification for undermining it, presidential whims notwithstanding, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Global Affairs Canada

The implications of the U.S.-Canada tiff for national security

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 25, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Canada and the U.S. cooperate on many issues in many forums: the G7 (even with the recent horror show, thanks to the U.S. president),

The implications of the U.S.-Canada tiff for national security

Opinion | BY PHIL GURSKI | June 25, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Canada and the U.S. cooperate on many issues in many forums: the G7 (even with the recent horror show, thanks to the U.S. president),
Donald Trump, pictured June 8, arriving at the aiport in Bagotville, Que., for the G7 Sumit. The 'Five Eyes' community has been a huge success for all of its member nations and there is little justification for undermining it, presidential whims notwithstanding, writes Phil Gurski. Photograph courtesy of Global Affairs Canada

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Advertise

get help

Subscribe
CloseMenu