Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 7, 2024
*Animated making-of clip here!
Canadians Deserve to Know the Identities of Compromised MPs
May 11, 2024
The recent revelations from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) are deeply troubling. They suggest that some of our elected officials may have been collaborating with foreign governments. Despite the shocking nature of these allegations, the response from the government has been characterized by secrecy and inaction.
Canadians have a right to know who these mystery MPs are so that this behaviour is made an example of and deemed unequivocally unacceptable.
Andrew Coyne, in his recent piece for The Globe and Mail, eloquently argues that without public disclosure, the implicated MPs will continue their roles without consequence. This lack of accountability erodes public trust in our democratic institutions. The idea that MPs, who have been elected to serve the people of Canada, might be working with foreign powers is not just a breach of trust; it is a direct threat to our national security and sovereignty.
March 24, 2023
The allegations are grave. According to the NSICOP report, some MPs have provided confidential information to foreign intelligence officers, influenced parliamentary colleagues at the behest of foreign states, and received support and funds from these entities. This goes beyond mere interference; it points to active collaboration. In any other democratic nation, such actions would result in severe penalties, including imprisonment. Yet, in Canada, we seem poised to let these individuals continue their work unchecked.
This complacency is not new. The government’s handling of foreign interference has been consistently inadequate. Reports and intelligence indicating foreign meddling have been met with denial, delay, and deflection. Even after the publication of three significant reports confirming these activities, the Prime Minister and senior officials have refused to act decisively. This inaction is a disservice to the Canadian people and to the integrity of our political system.
Coyne rightly points out that the opposition has also been reluctant to pursue this matter vigorously. There is a fear that some members of their own parties may be implicated, which has led to a bipartisan conspiracy of silence. Furthermore, the media, wary of legal repercussions and past interference, may not pursue the story with the vigour it deserves. This creates a perfect storm of inaction where the truth remains hidden, and the public remains in the dark.
News:RCMP ‘aware’ of intelligence related to foreign interference and parliamentarians
September 13, 2023
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s recent refusal to release the names of the implicated MPs, citing concerns over the reliability of the intelligence and the potential harm to Canada’s democratic and judicial processes, is problematic. While it is crucial to ensure that intelligence is corroborated and verified, the gravity of these allegations warrants a more transparent approach. Keeping these names secret only fuels speculation, undermines public trust, and allows potentially compromised individuals to continue operating within our political system.
Canadians deserve better. The secrecy surrounding the identities of these MPs must be lifted. Only through transparency can we ensure accountability. Naming the implicated MPs will serve as a powerful deterrent to others who might consider such treacherous behaviour. It will signal that Canada will not tolerate its elected officials serving foreign interests over those of their constituents.
Moreover, public disclosure is essential for the health of our democracy. Trust in political institutions is at an all-time low, and the perception that some MPs are compromised only deepens this mistrust. By revealing the names, we can begin to rebuild this trust and demonstrate that no one is above the law, regardless of their position.
Canadians have a right to know who these mystery MPs are, and it is time for transparency and accountability to prevail. (AI)