Ex-Trudeau Security Adviser Denies Responsibility for Delay in Reporting Beijing’s Interference Intel

October 9, 2024 TruthUSA

The former top intelligence adviser to the prime minister, Jody Thomas, denied responsibility for the lack of distribution of two important reports on Chinese interference within the government.

Having served as the National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA) until January, Thomas addressed the Foreign Interference Commission on Oct. 9, where she acknowledged making decisions affecting the dissemination of these reports.

She stated that she wasn’t accountable for approving an intelligence assessment known as the “Special Report” on “China’s Foreign Interference Activities,” produced by the Privy Council Office’s Intelligence Assessment Secretariat (PCO-IAS) in late 2021.

Additionally, Thomas disclosed that she had requested in 2023 for a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) assessment to be revised and sent to a different distribution list, but it wasn’t circulated thereafter.

The commission is investigating the sharing of intelligence within the government, with testimonies from officials involved in the delayed PCO and CSIS reports.

IAS official Martin Green indicated during the inquiry on Oct. 7 that he initiated the PCO Special Report, describing it as a valuable piece despite its imperfections.

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described the agency’s report as a comprehensive analysis of Chinese interference activities in Canada.

The report contained detailed intelligence on how the People’s Republic of China targets Canadian officials, acknowledging the significance of sharing the report with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Thomas received the PCO Special Report in January 2022 from Green, recommending its distribution to specific government officials and entities like the RCMP, based on CSIS’s endorsement of the findings.

Following her review of the Special Report, Thomas posed questions and recommended a standard peer review process for such documents before circulation.

Thomas clarified that she was not aware of Green waiting for her approval to distribute the Special Report, emphasizing his authority to authorize its dispersal.

Green expressed discomfort in approving the report due to its sensitivity, seeking guidance from Thomas on the next steps.

Green shared his efforts in trying to elevate the importance of the Special Report to move it forward, bringing it up in discussions with Thomas.

Thomas acknowledged the possibility of expediting the report but refrained from doing so.

‘Targeting Paper’

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) released a report in May, highlighting the incidents surrounding the withholding of the intelligence reports on China and the involvement of various security advisers in the process.

The report detailed the publication and subsequent removal of the CSIS “Targeting Paper” from the government portal at Thomas’s request, citing privacy concerns regarding the broad distribution list and the unmasked names of individuals.

Thomas explained her decision as a precaution amid potential leaks during that period when intelligence on PRC interference was being disclosed to the media.

She also raised the question of distinguishing between foreign interference and foreign influence, noting the complexities and evolution of these concepts within the intelligence domain.

The NSIRA report contrasted Thomas’s interpretation of the CSIS report, identifying a discrepancy with CSIS’s classification of the information as critical analysis on PRC’s interference with Canadian political figures.

A meeting held at PCO further discussed the CSIS paper, attended by Vigneault, Thomas, and other officials where the NSIRA mentioned a directive to produce a sanitized version specifically for the Prime Minister.

However, Thomas clarified that she did not understand the modified report was intended for the Prime Minister, a sentiment echoed by another official present at the meeting, Janice Charette.

Moreover, Thomas contested NSIRA’s conclusion about her decision not to deliver the sanitized report to the prime minister, mentioning the absence of communication on this matter from NSIRA.

NSIRA’s findings highlighted that Thomas’s actions resulted in the exclusion of two critical products from reaching the Prime Minister.

Thomas confirmed not having received the revised version of the CSIS Targeting Paper before her departure in January.

The Foreign Interference Commission’s current inquiry aims to assess the government’s preparedness in countering foreign interference, with Trudeau scheduled to provide testimony on Oct. 16 and a final report expected by year’s end.

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