CSIS - Some politicians under foreign sway

[Tapioca]

Here's something to chew on for the rest of the day (or two):

CBC News
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 | 9:45 PM PT

Richard Fadden, director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, in an exclusive interview with the CBC. (CBC)

Canada's spy agency suspects that cabinet ministers in two provinces are under the control of foreign governments, CBC News has learned.

Several members of B.C. municipal governments are also under suspicion, Richard Fadden, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, told CBC News in an exclusive interview.

"We're in fact a bit worried in a couple of provinces that we have an indication that there's some political figures who have developed quite an attachment to foreign countries," Fadden said.

"The individual becomes in a position to make decisions that affect the country or the province or a municipality. All of a sudden, decisions aren't taken on the basis of the public good but on the basis of another country's preoccupations."

He said the politicians and public servants see it as a long-standing relationship and have no idea they are being used.

"There are several municipal politicians in British Columbia and in at least two provinces there are ministers of the Crown who we think are under at least the general influence of a foreign government."

Fadden said the agency is in the process of discussing with the Privy Council Office the best way to inform those provinces there may be a problem.

"We'll do the same with the public servants. I'm making this comment because I think it's a real danger that people be totally oblivious to this kind of issue."

Fadden warned that foreign regimes — through universities and social clubs — will develop a relationship with people who have a connection to the homeland.

"You invite somebody back to the homeland. You pay [for] their trips and all of a sudden you discover that when an event is occurring that is of particular interest to country "X," you call up and you ask the person to take a particular view," Fadden said.

At least five countries are surreptitiously recruiting future political prospects in universities, he said. Middle East countries are also involved.

But China is the most aggressive, funding university clubs that are managed by people operating out of the embassy or consulates, Fadden said in a recent speech to Canadian police chiefs and security experts in Toronto.

Chinese authorities also organize demonstrations against the Canadian government in respect to some of Canada's policies concerning China, Fadden said.

"A number of countries take the view that if they can develop influence with people relatively early in their careers, they'll follow them through," Fadden said. "Before you know it, a country is providing them with money, there's some sort of covert guidance."

Fadden said he is concerned that too much of the agency's resources are focused on fighting terrorism and not counter-espionage. That concentration leaves more chances to steal Canada's sensitive technology and trade secrets, worth billions of dollars a year.

"The difficulty I have, as does everybody, is you have to balance where you allocate resources, but it most definitely is as serious problem, and if I had to guess, I'd say it was going to get worse," Fadden said.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...ying-csis.html

[TheNewGirl]

I heard this on CBC this morning.

On one hand I'm glad to know it's a concern and they're looking into it. On the other hand, isn't letting people know they're being investigated going to hamper the whole spying on them thing?

[Soundy]

CSIS IS A PUPPET OF THE CIA!!!!

[Ducdesmo]

Corrupt politicians in Canada? NO way???

[Tegra_Devil]

NO MORE IMMIGRATION!

[tool001]

this artical will shed more light

China Steps Into Toronto’s Mayoral Race: expenses-paid trip toward one candidate
Posted by chinaview on June 12, 2010

David Rider, The Toronto Star, Canada -

The Chinese consulate seems to be stepping into Toronto’s mayoral race by sending one candidate — George Smitherman —to speak at an “international mayors’ forum on tourism” in central China.

The four-day, expenses-paid trip starting Thursday, which includes a side trip to World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, is raising eyebrows because Smitherman has never held city office.

“The Chinese consulate is showing favouritism toward one mayoral candidate and that’s not very diplomatic,” said rival Giorgio Mammoliti, adding: “If Smitherman wants to go to China and pretend to be an expert on tourism, so be it.”

Smitherman’s spokesman Stefan Baranski said, “The Chinese government invited him and will be paying for his trip. . . . He will be speaking about his passion for Toronto, why it’s such a vibrant world city (and worthy of visiting) and in support of the over 400,000 people who speak Chinese who live in Toronto.”

According to the Pacific Asia Travel Association, the four-day International Mayors Forum on Tourism in Zhengzhou is “a grand tourism event with the most prospective and global cooperative significance that has appeared in the world tourism circles in recent years.”

Asked if he is concerned about accepting a junket from a government criticized for its human-rights record, Baranski relayed this statement from Smitherman: “As a gay man, the promotion of human rights are in my DNA. I am going to China at the request of the Consul General to speak to a municipal conference and hear the best and most innovative tourism strategies from cities around the world. It will also afford me the chance to build stronger ties and respectful relationships with our counterparts.”

Earlier, Baranski said, leaders of Toronto’s Chinese community honoured Smitherman by giving him the name “Shih Thern-Min, which symbolizes his desire to revitalize the city and make it work for people.”

Rob Ford’s campaign manager, Doug Ford, also questioned why China would single out Smitherman: “You don’t take free trips when you’re running for office. It’s not ethical, it smells bad. It smells like ‘pay to play,’ like a return to a culture of corruption” at city hall, he said.

Fellow candidate Rocco Rossi also responded with scorn: “That’s what you do when everyone’s attacking your incompetent transit plan — you disappear and you try to change the channel on the discussion.”

The press office at China’s Toronto consulate asked for and was sent the Star’s questions in writing but has yet to respond.

- The Toronto Star

[goo3]

Originally Posted by Tegra_Devil

NO MORE IMMIGRATION!

Originally Posted by tool001

The Chinese consulate seems to be stepping into Toronto’s mayoral race by sending one candidate — George Smitherman —to speak at an “international mayors’ forum on tourism” in central China.

LOL

[StylinRed]

no surprise

what is surprising is that they're just speaking about it now...

[impactX]

Ah, explains how those trolls who blindly support the PRC government on RS make a living.

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by Tegra_Devil

NO MORE IMMIGRATION!

The Chinese consulate seems to be stepping into Toronto’s mayoral race by sending one candidate — George Smitherman —to speak at an “international mayors’ forum on tourism” in central China.


We should sent that dude back to were he came from!!!!

[Tegra_Devil]

Originally Posted by Manic!

The Chinese consulate seems to be stepping into Toronto’s mayoral race by sending one candidate — George Smitherman —to speak at an “international mayors’ forum on tourism” in central China.


We should sent that dude back to were he came from!!!!

you're not familiar with sarcasm are you....