As opposition politicians and the public clamour for names and details about MPs accused of working for foreign states by an intelligence watchdog report, the RCMP say some of the information in the report was new to them as well.
“Although the RCMP did not receive information regarding all the matters contained in the report, the RCMP was aware of the broad range of work being done by partners,” spokesperson Sgt. Kim Chamberland told The Epoch Times in a statement.
The report says some MPs have “proactively provided confidential information to Indian officials” and others have a “quid pro quo” relationship with the Chinese regime.
The RCMP would not say whether the force is investigating parliamentarians.
Cabinet ministers and NSICOP Chair Liberal MP David McGuinty have been pressed for more information, including the names of the MPs allegedly involved.
“The question of whether or not this issue is followed up on is a question rightly put to the RCMP,” he said. “It is up to the RCMP to decide on the basis of any intelligence or evidence they may have.”
Sgt. Chamberland said the RCMP is investigating a “broad range” of foreign interference activities, including some that “intersect with democratic institutions.”
The force, however, “will not provide comment whether there is an active criminal investigation into any parliamentarian.”
Sgt. Chamberland said the RCMP generally does not comment on investigations, to avoid interfering with the work.
The fact that the RCMP learned new information from the NSICOP report can be related to information-sharing practices between security agencies and the laborious process of converting intelligence to evidence.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which takes the lead on countering foreign interference, does not automatically share its reporting with the RCMP.
Sgt. Chamberland said that “challenges do exist” regarding the use of intelligence in criminal investigations.
“The RCMP recognizes that each organization works on distinct yet complementary mandates and legal regimes,” she said. “The RCMP and national security partners meet regularly to discuss threats and to ensure there is a level of awareness of each organization’s activity, even though specific details are not always shared.”
“Canadians have a right to know who they are and what information is involved,” he said. “Who are they?”
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlance responded that no government would discuss the specifics of intelligence information in public.
