Anybody following Canadian spookiness?

[struggle4progress]

Here are some Canadian press links that have made me worry for our northern neighbors

Who oversees our spies? In most cases, nobody
<snip>
Fraser's conclusion is that there isn't enough — particularly now that Parliament has given security agencies more authority to snoop and more money to do it.
Or, as she puts it: "We would have expected that intrusive powers would be subjected to a level of review proportionate to the level of intrusion."
Some might be surprised to discover how many spy agencies there are working for the federal government. According to Fraser, the tally is 10 — eight operating in Canada plus two more working exclusively abroad.
<snip>
So who watches all of these watchers? Who makes sure they don't overstep their bounds?
Fraser's report is particularly sobering here, for her answer is — in most cases — nobody.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1076713810377&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467

Federal secrecy law mums officials for life
Thousands of Canadians involved in the hunt for terrorists and spies will be forbidden from ever discussing sensitive aspects of their work under a new federal secrecy law.
The government expects between 5,000 and 6,000 current and former security and intelligence officials to be designated as persons “permanently bound to secrecy,” internal memos obtained by The Canadian Press reveal.
The move to make officials take secrets to the grave is being ushered in under provisions of the Security of Information Act, part of a package of anti-terrorism measures passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040307.wsecr0307/BNStory/Front/

Ottawa Police Played Role in Arar Case
In an effort to avoid embarassment or strained relations with the local Arab and Muslim communities, Ottawa Police Chief Vince Bevan has come forward to announce his force was involved in the controversial case of Maher Arar. <snip>
http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=1&nid=11668

[Ms. Clio]

1. kick for Canadian creepiness

You're right, it's very worrisome.