Canada's NDP

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January 15th, 2014

Strahl scandal shows urgent need for better oversight of Intelligence agency

Government must reinstate Inspector General and launch investigation into activities of the Security Intelligence Review Committee

The NDP is demanding the immediate reinstatement of the CSIS Inspector General and a review of the Security Intelligence Review Committee in the wake of revelations that Chuck Strahl has been lobbying on behalf of Enbridge Northern Gateway Project while being Chair of Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC).

“The head of SIRC is trusted with sensitive information, both regarding public safety as well as sensitive information about projects like the Northern Gateway Pipeline,” said New Democrat Public Safety Critic Randall Garrison (Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca). “The minister must act now, reinstate the Inspector General and demand an immediate review of the activities of the Review Committee.”

The NDP pointed out the Security Intelligence Review Committee is involved in sensitive work – including providing oversight for CSIS’s monitoring of Canadian environmental organizations – a clear conflict with the work Mr. Strahl is doing on behalf of Enbridge.

“It is alarming to many Canadians that the Chair of the CSIS oversight committee is engaged in this kind of lobbying,” added NDP House Leader Nathan Cullen (Skeena – Bulkley Valley). “The government must take quick action to show that our national spy agency is properly monitored – and restore Canadians’ faith in the impartiality of civilian oversight.”