QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
June 19, 2024
My question is for Senator Gold.
Last Tuesday, Senator Downe asked you about granting access for the leaders of each recognized group or caucus to examine the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, or NSICOP, report in order to take any necessary actions related to their respective members.
You responded by saying, not once but twice, the government is reviewing the request.
While we’re in the dark, there is a cloud of doubt over each member in this chamber. My question to you is how much time will it take to get an answer?
Thank you for your question, Senator Tannas.
As I’ve mentioned on a number of occasions — and I won’t belabour the point — this is a serious and complicated matter. It involves not only the government and Parliament, but also other security and intelligence institutions that are engaged in the important work of both protecting us from foreign interference but also have the responsibility to do so in a responsible way.
I do not have a timeline for the decision of the government, but, again, as frustrating as this may be to many of our colleagues here, my office is engaged, and we are awaiting the decision of the government.
Leader, today we’re going to begin consideration of Bill C-70, the countering foreign interference act. Surely it is not lost on you the irony of us undertaking this given the circumstances.
Senator Gold, you’ve often talked about the fact that, in addition to being the Government Representative in the Senate, you’re also the Senate representative to the government. What are you doing specifically to point out how difficult this situation is by virtue of the lack of a decision to provide what has already been provided to the House of Commons?
Thank you. As I’ve stated before, my office has raised the issue proactively with the government. The government is very aware of the concerns of the senators in this regard. We continue to be engaged with the government on this file.
