OTTAWA (Reuters) – Angry Canadian legislators accused the country’s spy chief yesterday of making a huge mistake by alleging some politicians were under the influence of foreign governments, with one parliamentarian demanding he name the “traitors to the nation”.
Richard Fadden, head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), prompted an uproar last month when he said in televised remarks that ministers in two of the 10 provinces were under “the general influence of a foreign government”.
Fadden also suggested China was one of the nations involved. The comments were widely seen as controversial as Canada encourages large-scale immigration and has a substantial ethnic and foreign-born population.
The House of Commons public security committee convened a special two-hour session to grill Fadden, who said that while he regretted his remarks had become public, he stood by them.
Legislators variously told Fadden he was incompetent and irresponsible, saying his words had triggered suspicions about countless politicians across Canada.
“Who are the traitors in the current political class, Mr Fadden?” demanded an incandescent Maria Mourani, a legislator of Lebanese descent from the opposition Bloc Quebecois.
Fadden described her words as totally inappropriate, saying there was no question of treason.
“You don’t use the word ‘traitor’ but I’ll say it … I’m giving you a chance to tell us. Who are these ministers who are traitors to the nation?” Mourani fired back.
The nationally televised session was unprecedented for Canada, where the CSIS head usually keeps a very low profile.
Although the office of Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper denied it had known about the issue of foreign influence before it became public, Fadden said he had discussed it in general terms with Harper’s national security adviser early this year.
Fadden said CSIS would issue a report on its investigation into the politicians in question within the next month.
“You’ve created great consternation and anxiety, unwarranted suspicion and an unfounded stain on … every provincial cabinet minister in the country. Do you acknowledge that?” asked Don Davies of the left-leaning New Democrats.
