The House Affairs committee heard on Tuesday evening that the statement made by Privy Council President Bill Blair, where he claimed that Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officials held back information about Chinese interference, is false.. David Vigneault .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, CSIS Director David Vigneault testified that he had personally sent a memo to Blair about foreign agents targeting MPs..“The information was meant to be seen by the minister,” testified Vigneault. .“That was the purpose of this note, to bring it to the attention of these people.”.The May 2021 memo said Chinese agents “intended to target” two MPs with family members in Hong Kong, Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON) and New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC). Neither MP was told. No action was taken..In his testimony to the committee on June 1, Blair denied having seen the memo. .Blair stated that CSIS intentionally withheld the information from him..“I did not receive any specific information about interference targeting any individual MP,” testified Blair. .“I was aware there was concern within the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that interference could be directed towards unnamed MPs.”.“I was never informed of any attempt by a foreign actor to harm a parliamentarian or their loved ones,” said Blair, who blamed CSIS for withholding evidence of Chinese interference..“The information was not shared with me. It was authorized by CSIS to be shown to me, but they determined, the director (CSIS) determined this was not information the minister needed to know, so I was never notified.”.Vigneault on Tuesday night contradicted Blair’s story. Information was never withheld, said Vigneault, adding that the May 2021 memo was intended to be read by Blair. .“We wanted to highlight the information,” said Vigneault..“The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and specifically me, shared the information with the minister of Public Safety given the very specific directive to share such information with the minister,” said Vigneault. .“I have no doubt the minister did not receive it — his comments were very clear — but I think it is important for the committee to understand we did share the information and the briefing note.”.“You never notified the briefing note should not be conveyed to the minister?” asked Conservative MP Luc Berthold (Mégantic-L’Erable, QC). .“That is correct,” replied Vigneault..Conservative MP Michael Cooper (St. Albert-Edmonton, AB) said the committee should question Blair. .“I have a lot of questions for the minister as to why he would make such statements,” said Cooper. .“Why?”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
The House Affairs committee heard on Tuesday evening that the statement made by Privy Council President Bill Blair, where he claimed that Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officials held back information about Chinese interference, is false.. David Vigneault .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, CSIS Director David Vigneault testified that he had personally sent a memo to Blair about foreign agents targeting MPs..“The information was meant to be seen by the minister,” testified Vigneault. .“That was the purpose of this note, to bring it to the attention of these people.”.The May 2021 memo said Chinese agents “intended to target” two MPs with family members in Hong Kong, Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON) and New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC). Neither MP was told. No action was taken..In his testimony to the committee on June 1, Blair denied having seen the memo. .Blair stated that CSIS intentionally withheld the information from him..“I did not receive any specific information about interference targeting any individual MP,” testified Blair. .“I was aware there was concern within the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that interference could be directed towards unnamed MPs.”.“I was never informed of any attempt by a foreign actor to harm a parliamentarian or their loved ones,” said Blair, who blamed CSIS for withholding evidence of Chinese interference..“The information was not shared with me. It was authorized by CSIS to be shown to me, but they determined, the director (CSIS) determined this was not information the minister needed to know, so I was never notified.”.Vigneault on Tuesday night contradicted Blair’s story. Information was never withheld, said Vigneault, adding that the May 2021 memo was intended to be read by Blair. .“We wanted to highlight the information,” said Vigneault..“The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and specifically me, shared the information with the minister of Public Safety given the very specific directive to share such information with the minister,” said Vigneault. .“I have no doubt the minister did not receive it — his comments were very clear — but I think it is important for the committee to understand we did share the information and the briefing note.”.“You never notified the briefing note should not be conveyed to the minister?” asked Conservative MP Luc Berthold (Mégantic-L’Erable, QC). .“That is correct,” replied Vigneault..Conservative MP Michael Cooper (St. Albert-Edmonton, AB) said the committee should question Blair. .“I have a lot of questions for the minister as to why he would make such statements,” said Cooper. .“Why?”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
