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1. (Thread) Today's thread is about Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
It's about how @csiscanada has continued its practice of lying to the courts, and by proxy, to Canadians. This is exemplified in two recent federal court decisions from this summer.
It's about how @csiscanada has continued its practice of lying to the courts, and by proxy, to Canadians. This is exemplified in two recent federal court decisions from this summer.
2. CSIS has been endowed with ever-expanding powers since 9/11 to protect the country from terrorism and extremism.
Of course, one would hope that our national security bodies are protecting us from threats of terror. https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/07/04/canadian-spies-new-disruption-powers-seen-as-way-to-combat-foreign-influence.html
Of course, one would hope that our national security bodies are protecting us from threats of terror. https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2019/07/04/canadian-spies-new-disruption-powers-seen-as-way-to-combat-foreign-influence.html
3. Unfortunately, CSIS has used its power as a national security agency to consistently lie, obfuscate, and mislead the courts for years.
Practically, that could mean innocent people ending up in jail for crimes they didn't commit. https://ipolitics.ca/2015/04/03/spies-lies-and-the-myth-of-oversight-at-csis/
Practically, that could mean innocent people ending up in jail for crimes they didn't commit. https://ipolitics.ca/2015/04/03/spies-lies-and-the-myth-of-oversight-at-csis/
4. This summer, we had not one, but two major cases where judges before the federal court found CSIS to do, well, deeply insane things.
Let's start with the Peshdary decision. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/csis-used-intel-gathered-illegally-withheld-evidence-favourable-to-accused-ottawa-isis-recruiter
Let's start with the Peshdary decision. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/csis-used-intel-gathered-illegally-withheld-evidence-favourable-to-accused-ottawa-isis-recruiter
5. In the most recent decision, CSIS admitted it failed to disclose evidence favourable to Peshdary and that intelligence was been gathered illegally.
6. National security agencies had put forward evidence that Peshdary was engaging in "jihadist training" in Gatineau park.
Actually, he may have just playing with a pellet gun.
Terrifying to think that Peshdary was facing potential long-term incarceration based on this.
Actually, he may have just playing with a pellet gun.
Terrifying to think that Peshdary was facing potential long-term incarceration based on this.
7. But for those paying attention, Justice O’Reilly’s ruling isn't surprising. Just last month, Justice Glesson issued a scathing decision condemning the whole of CSIS for displaying a “cavalier institutional approach” in terms of “candour” to the court. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-federal-court-1.5651944
8. Practically, what does that mean? It mean CSIS has a long-standing practice of lying, or lying by omission, to the court.
That's terrifying.
And this is not a one-off. This is an institutional practice.
That's terrifying.
And this is not a one-off. This is an institutional practice.
9. See Justice Noel's decision in relation to Harakat:
He noted that Canada's spy service "has seriously damaged confidence" in the court process.
Harkat has remained under detention without a trial now for over a decade. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/10/20/court_orders_csis_to_hand_over_secret_file.html
He noted that Canada's spy service "has seriously damaged confidence" in the court process.
Harkat has remained under detention without a trial now for over a decade. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/10/20/court_orders_csis_to_hand_over_secret_file.html
9. And there are so many more decisions.
While the Director of CSIS, David Vigneault, acknowledged that he would be taking action in the aftermath of Justice Gleeson's decision, he also announced that he was "deeply proud of the extraordinary efforts they undertook."
While the Director of CSIS, David Vigneault, acknowledged that he would be taking action in the aftermath of Justice Gleeson's decision, he also announced that he was "deeply proud of the extraordinary efforts they undertook."
10. There's nothing to be proud of here.
Clearly, something is deeply broken at CSIS.
That's why change is needed.
Write to Minister @BillBlair today to make sure that we reform CSIS through external legislative change by clicking below. https://www.nccm.ca/csislied/
Clearly, something is deeply broken at CSIS.
That's why change is needed.
Write to Minister @BillBlair today to make sure that we reform CSIS through external legislative change by clicking below. https://www.nccm.ca/csislied/
