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I missed the interview, which is a bummer as I was hoping to watch it.
Alot of the posters on this site are knowledgeable with how politics works in this country, I certainly am not, though I am learning alot and reading more than ever. This is because I am interested in how politics can affect intelligence policies, which is my concern for selfish reasons. I am fairly well versed in intelligence issues, both in Canada and outside the country. The interest in this subject is simple, I have been a target of Canadian intelligence for many years and tried numerous methods to clear my name. I can assure you the political system in regards to intelligence is both guarded and very undemocratic, but I digress...
I can say this, from what I have read, from those who are currently in the espionage world, those who used to be, and those who are close to the shadowy world, there is an immense amount of infiltration in Canada. The fact that he mentioned China should not be a surprise to anyone, the are actively targetting many nations, probably the most dangerous of all nations in this trade since the Russians. The problem is, CSIS knows about this, the government knows about this, and yet, very little has been done about it. The reason for this is that we do not have a strong legal system that allows these people to be punished, they are generally just shipped back to their home country in secrecy and backdoor dealings. In this respect I find our legal system embarassing. In the U.S if you are caught spying for another country you may never see the light of day, or not for a very long time. I don't even need to mention some of the most high profile names of those caught, a simple Google will show you that. First thing that needs to be done, make it a major crime in Canada to spy for another country on Canadian soil. Mandatory and strong prison sentences and minimal backdoor dealing with foreign governments. If Harper is so concerned about crime, he might start with the crimes that cost Canadians jobs and the nations soverenty.
If I were to guess, and this is only a guess, I would imagine the nation from the Middle East that might be targetting the universities would probably be India. They have also upped their interest in Canada in recent years and they have a strong presence in our education system. Again, just a guess, nothing to substantiate this of course. The problem is, India is also a booming nation, so their ability to fund such activities will only increase. I think he mentions these scenarios to essentially make such organizations, nations, and/or individuals aware that CSIS is on to them and to put a little bit of heat under their seats. He may even get so lucky as to turn some of the agents if they feel that it is a losing wager to continue to spy on Canada.
Here is the problem with CSIS as I see it. They are too much of a political organization, far more than any effective intelligence agency should be (you can lump the RCMP into this category as well). They have a history of selfish employees who are willing to line their own pockets along with their families. CSIS creates threats (I am a victim of this strategy) because there are supposedly not enough problems around for them to actually stay busy. They need to justify their existence all the time. This has very profound negative implications for the entire Canadian economy. No intelligent, productive person wants to come to a country in which they do not feel free or they do not trust the policing establishment. This has been one of Canada's greatest advantages in recruiting good talent, but we may be slipping in this regard.
As an example. Protestors at the G20 summit. This should NOT be of interest to CSIS or the RCMP, unless of course, there is ample and legitimate danger of violence (a minute percentage I would imagine). They are exercizing their right to free speech (or supposed right in Canada) and the right to assemble peacefully. This is in fact a good thing for CSIS. You would rather have them overt and in the open, if you suppress freedoms like this, problems get worse and manifest themselves in more radical ways. Again, these are the rights men and women in this countyr have died for to protect, you do this nation a disservice by targetting people. In my opinion, CSIS focusing on these organizations is a blessing to those nations actively involved in political and industrial espionage in Canada. Less resources wasted on them allows for greater success of their mandates in Canada.
CSIS could learn alot from what I would call "real" intelligence agencies, such as the CIA, MI5, Mossad and the like. These are agencies that actually do, or did have threats at their doorsteps and they don't waste time on what is useless, they focus on the legitmate threats and those who wish to cause harm to the nations and it's government or citizens. As in a battlefield during a war, you make the right decison or people die. In Canada, we haven't really faced this threat, therefore, CSIS engages in creating useless problems to keep themselves busy. It's as immoral as you can get, but it's a fact of life in this country. It will not change until people become made aware of it, I think the ball has started rolling on this one as there have been some fairly high profilecases leaked of agents of provacation.
Anyways, another long winded response for an organization that appears to be losing the battle. The have only themeselves to blame. Laws would have been more firm if anyone took CSIS serious. Unfortunately CSIS themselves ruined their own reputation by the actions that they have committed and continue to commit against regular Canadians.
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