There is no guarantee that these two bodies, namely the Office of National Security and Intelligence Review (OSSNR) and the Committee of Parliamentarians on National Security and Intelligence (CPSNR), will have access to Prime Minister’s cabinet files.

This was confirmed by the Privy Council Office, which is responsible for protecting the documents.

The works ofOSSNR And CPSNO will guide Special Rapporteur David Johnston in determining what action to take in response to the Chinese interference controversy that has rocked the Liberal government for several weeks.

Authorities need to investigate what the government knew about Beijing’s attempts to influence the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, detailed in a series of reports from the Global Network and the daily The Globe and the Mail.

I’OSSNR hope for one Cooperation

Pierre-Alain Bujold, spokesman for the Privy Council office, said the special rapporteur would have the right to inspect all secret and non-secret files and documents, including those protected by cabinet secrets, as it deems necessary within the scope of its mandate.

However, the spokesman confirmed that theOSSNR and the CPSNO do not automatically have access to confidential documents. The Government is committed to transparency and will continue to work diligently to provide all relevant informationhe specified.

I’OSSNR explained on Tuesday the scope and limits of intelligence agencies’ powers to investigate government affairs. Sent in an email to CBCMr. Bujold noticed that Should additional material be required for this work, we will work diligently with the agency to determine the feasibility of the request.

I’OSSNO added that she’s hoping for one Cooperation of all departments and bodies to be audited, as well as access to all information necessary to carry out his work.

The President of CPSNO calls for legislative reform

In a letter to Justin Trudeau last fall, the CPSNO denounced difficulties in accessing documents from the Prime Minister’s office, which had paralyzed his earlier investigations into intelligence matters.

The Committee particularly regretted the fact that its members, despite the obligation of confidentiality receive no relevant information and are unaware of their existence.

Leader of Liberal MP David McGuinty CPSNOrecently called for an overhaul of the legislation for its committee to allow full access.

Political scientist and intelligence specialist Stephanie Carvin said it was not in the government’s interest to fight access to the documents.

” This government already had problems with transparency. I don’t think that helps his case. »

With information from Murray Brewster and Catharine Tunney, CBC