“Foreign Interference”

FASANO, ITALY – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has concerns with how conclusions were gathered in a spy watchdog report.

Speaking after the conclusion of the G7 summit in Italy, Trudeau told reporters that he has concerns with the way the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians came to its conclusions that some parliamentarians were “semi-witting or witting” participants in efforts of foreign states to meddle in Canadian politics.

“We made clear some concerns we had with the way that NSCIOP did, drew conclusions,” he said. “I think that is an important part of the process.”

SAVELLETRI DI FASANO, Italy — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would not say Saturday whether Liberal MPs are among those accused in a recent spy watchdog report of helping foreign states.

The refusal comes after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May have both offered new, though somewhat conflicting insight into the findings of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.

If you ever studied philosophy you’ll be familiar with Plato’s allegory of the cave. The philosopher described people who’ve spent their lives chained in a cave, facing a blank wall. All they know of reality is from shadows projected on the wall created by objects passing in front of a fire behind them.

When it comes to the most alarming type of foreign interference in our politics, Canadians are being put in the same position as those prisoners in Plato’s cave. We’re not allowed to get a direct look at the reality of what’s going on. After all, you know, national security!

Foreign actors are trying to interfere with the Canadian media, and journalists and their bosses need to be aware of it, the chairman of Parliament’s national security committee warned on June 12.

All forms of media, including mainstream media, are being subjected to interference by bad actors, Liberal MP David McGuinty said.

Mr. McGuinty said he can’t divulge specifics because the information is classified.

Each minute of inaction is itself its own scandal. For about a week now, the Canadian public has been aware that individuals believed to have colluded with foreign governments may continue to serve as senators, staffers and/or members of Parliament. And for about a week now, those with the power to do something have done nothing.

Personally I don’t trust Drinky May …

Elizabeth May sees no traitors around her, and at least she read the report

HALIFAX—The more secretive a society gets, the less democratic it becomes.

As The Washington Post’s motto puts it, “Democracy dies in darkness.” Canadian democracy has been weakened this past week by a signal failure of transparency, a dire error of priorities. On an issue of monumental importance, the public was informationally dealt out.

What makes that harder to take is that the Trudeau government never misses an opportunity to take a bow for its openness in governance. The PM talks the talk, but sometimes doesn’t walk the walk.