QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Foreign Interference
November 21, 2024
Senator Gold, as you know, it’s very hard to keep a secret in Ottawa, and more and more people have read the unredacted version of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Special Report on Foreign Interference in Canada’s Democratic Processes and Institutions.
I’m wondering: Have you been told by any minister, political staffer or federal government employee that senators have been named in the unredacted report?
Senator Downe, I appreciate your doggedness on this particular issue. As I have said on a number of occasions, the expressed interest of you and some colleagues has been communicated to the minister, but to the best of my knowledge, there has been no change in policy at the government.
I do not have access to that report. I haven’t read it. In that regard, I really can’t comment on any other matter. I will continue to transmit the views of the Senate to the relevant minister.
Thank you, Senator Gold, but I didn’t ask if you have been briefed or read the report. I know you haven’t.
My question was: Have you heard any comment from any minister, federal government officials or staffers about senators being named in the report, an aside similar to “that senator is fortunate he’s not in jail”? Have you heard any comment about any senator involved or named in the report?
I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. The answer is no, I haven’t heard any such matter.
