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Why Pierre Poilievre’s Refusal of a National Security Background Check Should Alarm Every Canadian Concerned About Sovereignty

Jun 17, 2024

Suppose you love a good bit of schadenfreude as I do and hate duplicitous political gas-holes as much as I do. In that case, this Pierre Poilievre/Manchurian Candidate/NatSec/Treason/foreign interference/India/China Nuclear trap door story is for Us! You and Me!

The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada has recently come under global scrutiny for his refusal to undergo a background check required to access classified information from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). This decision has sparked a significant debate among national security experts, party leaders, and the public, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the integrity of Canada’s democratic institutions. In other words, we’re all collectively scratching our heads as to why a man with a 20-point lead in the polls refuses to comment on, be accountable for, foreign corruption in his party and his refusal to sit for a VERY important NatSec background check.

Let’s Give You Some Background on Security Clearances for Parliamentarians so We’re on the Same Page

In Canada, elected officials considered for ministerial or parliamentary secretary appointments must undergo security background checks. These checks are arranged by the Privy Council Office (PCO) and include records checks with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), a review of tax compliance, and an examination of bankruptcy and insolvency records[6]. Additionally, parliamentarians must re-up their background checks when they marry to ensure that their new family members do not pose a security risk.

Poilievre’s Refusal and Its Implications

Poilievre’s refusal to obtain the necessary security clearance to read the classified NSICOP report on foreign interference has raised eyebrows. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has criticized Poilievre for not being adequately informed, suggesting that his refusal is driven by a desire to maintain the ability to comment freely on issues without being bound by confidentiality rules[1]. This stance has led to accusations that Poilievre is choosing ignorance to play partisan politics, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put it[11].

National Security Experts Are Ringing All The Bells

National security experts have expressed concern over Poilievre’s decision. Wesley Wark, a national security expert, described the findings of the NSICOP report as “stunning,” highlighting the serious nature of foreign interference in Canadian democracy[1]. The report detailed instances of parliamentarians “semi-wittingly” and wittingly cooperating with agents of foreign governments, including providing confidential information to regimes in India and China. Wark emphasized that such actions could be considered treasonous.

David Vigneault, the head of CSIS, has also urged party leaders to get the classified briefings and take matters into their own hands, such as by removing a caucus member or barring someone from a nomination race[11]. This advice underscores the importance of being fully informed to make responsible decisions regarding national security.

Party Leaders and Political Reactions Are In: Pierre’s Refusal and Ongoing *WILLING Ignorance is A National Security Threat.

The refusal has drawn criticism from the Liberal government and other party leaders. Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party, has called for greater transparency and accountability, suggesting that party leaders should sit down together to chart a course forward[11]. She emphasized the need to investigate former MPs accused of wittingly working with foreign governments to restore voter confidence.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet has echoed similar sentiments, describing the federal offer for opposition leaders to review sensitive material as a “dumb trap” designed to silence them[19]. This perspective highlights the broader concern that the current process may be used to stifle opposition voices rather than promote genuine transparency.

Adding to the controversy are rumors surrounding Poilievre’s wife, Ana Poilievre, and her family. While no concrete evidence supports these rumors, they have fueled speculation about potential foreign influence on Poilievre. Critics argue that these allegations, combined with Poilievre’s refusal to undergo a background check, warrant a thorough investigation to ensure no conflicts of interest or security risks.

Growing Calls for Investigation Into Pierre’s “Relationships” – Start with his coup of the Conservative Party of Canada

The calls for investigating Poilievre’s ties to foreign influence are growing louder. Conservative MPs have previously pushed for a public inquiry into foreign interference. Poilievre has called on the Liberal government to release the names of MPs accused of aiding foreign states[15]. However, his refusal to undergo a background check has led to accusations of hypocrisy and has undermined his credibility on this issue. According to SEVERAL party leaders, MPs, and every level of law enforcement in Canada, Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative leadership may indeed be illegitimate, and multiple ongoing RCMP/CSIS investigations.

Pierre Poilievre’s refusal to sit for his NSICOP background check has sparked a significant debate about transparency, accountability, and national security in Canada. National security experts, party leaders, and the public are calling for greater scrutiny and transparency to ensure the integrity of Canada’s democratic institutions. As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how Poilievre will address these concerns and whether he will ultimately agree to undergo the necessary security clearance.

Sources:

[1] https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/06/10/opinion/Pierre-Poilievre-foreign-interference-report

[2] https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/how-secure-is-parliament-hill-most-security-officials-lack-extensive-background-checks

[3] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/gaps-grow-in-background-checks-for-hill-security-staff/article37070208/

[4] https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/poilievre-disagrees-with-conservative-mp-who-opposes-same-sex-marriage-vows-to-uphold-1.6911638

[5] https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/kurl-as-a-potential-prime-minister-pierre-poilievre-needs-to-choose-his-words-much-more-carefully

[6] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/how-canada-does-security-screenings-on-elected-officials-1.1087229

[7] https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/2069362/conservative-bloc-mps-call-on-speaker-to-resign-after-ousting-poilievre-over-wacko-comment

[8] https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/201728E

[9] https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/theres-a-new-book-about-pierre-poilievre-here-are-five-things-we-learned-about-the/article_9e621e3e-17ae-11ef-8cfd-07a0245b0f9d.html

[10] https://nationalpost.com/news/pierre-poilievre-justin-trudeau-canada-strong-and-free-conference

[11] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-no-list-of-names-in-unredacted-foreign-interference-report-says-green/

[12] https://www.ourcommons.ca/About/Employment/FAQ-e.html

[13] https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1pgpbe/eli5why_do_us_politicians_do_not_have_to_undergo/

[14] https://financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/pierre-poilievre-opposes-capital-gains-hike-promises-new-tax-cut

[15] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/nsicop-intelligence-1.7225237

[16] https://www.cp24.com/news/house-speaker-kicks-pierre-poilievre-out-of-commons-over-unparliamentary-comments-1.6867861

[17] https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2023/09/13/wrong-message-convention-speaker-causes-concern-caf-culture-change-facing-rollback-under-potential-poilievre-government/396930/

[18] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-speaker-kicks-poilievre-out-of-commons-over-unparliamentary-comments/

[19] https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/yes-poilievre-can-get-a-security-clearance-he-already-has

[20] https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-poilievre-among-dozens-of-mps-targeted-by-china-linked-spamouflage-campaign-1.6612872

Dean Blundell

Dean Blundell is a Canadian radio personality. Best known as a longtime morning host on CFNY-FM (The Edge) in Toronto, Ontario. In 2015 he was named the new morning host on sports radio station CJCL (Sportsnet 590 The Fan). Dean started his career in radio in 2001 and for nearly 20 years been entertaining the radio audience. Dean’s newest venture is the launch of his site and podcast which is gaining tremendous momentum across North America.

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