Gurski: Canada’s foreign interference threat may be worse than we thought

Good concluding observation and unclear current inquiry will successfully address issues and oblige government to implement meaningful measures:

…There is no need to over-exaggerate the threat but a wise government would recognize that any diaspora is, in theory, open to such interference, especially if members came to our shores to flee oppressive regimes and are reminding Canadians and others of the nature of their former homeland’s actions. A government that took these threats seriously would properly fund and resource security intelligence and law enforcement organizations, then take the time to read and process their findings (rather than, say, accuse them of “racist” behaviour as the current prime minister has done).

We can both celebrate our diversity and guard against threats from foreign regimes. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. We just need government to acknowledge that nations see some of our citizens as inconvenient whistleblowers whom they wish to stifle. We owe it to these newcomers to keep them safe, allow them to call out their ex-leaders, and not suffer as a result.

Phil Gurski is President/CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting, and a former senior strategic analyst at CSIS.

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