QUESTION PERIOD — Prime Minister’s Office
National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
June 5, 2024
Senator Gold, the latest report of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, or NSICOP, makes it clear that in 2018 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was made aware of serious national security threats with foreign states against Parliament and against our elections. Mr. Trudeau was advised that the measures that his government had in place were not enough. He was also advised to take further action. He ignored that advice.
Three times, the civil service and his advisers asked Prime Minister Trudeau to approve action in order to protect Parliament and our democracy. It was three times, Senator Gold: In December 2019, again in December 2020 and again in February 2022, advisers told the Prime Minister to take action against foreign interference. The Prime Minister didn’t give approval, and he took no action. The question is: why?
Thank you for underlining the most recent report from NSICOP. It is valuable work that is done on behalf of Canadians by an institution created by this particular government. The government thanks NSICOP members for its report and for their work.
The government is always refining, improving and adapting our measures to counter foreign interference. The government is committed to evolving and strengthening existing measures. The government has already tabled two pieces of legislation that will further strengthen protections for Canadians and for our democratic institutions. Here, of course, I’m referring to Bill C-65 and Bill C-70, which address many of the recommendations in the report to which you referred. The committee’s recommendations will continue to assist the government in this ongoing work.
Look at all that action you’ve taken over the last eight years. You tabled a bill last week.
Senator Gold, the NSICOP report revealed that parliamentarians willingly and knowingly assisted hostile foreign governments in interfering in Parliament and in our elections. They did so in favour of foreign states against the interests of Canadians and the Canadian people. Parliamentarians owe their loyalty to the people of Canada and not to a foreign state.
I have a very simple question, even for you, Senator Gold: Will the Prime Minister do the right thing and release the names of these parliamentarians in that report?
Thank you for your question and for your ongoing concern on this matter. I simply cannot comment on any confidential information that may involve individuals. There are aspects of this — for the very good reasons —
— that all responsible parliamentarians understand, these matters, for the moment, cannot be divulged.
