Minister LeBlanc Has Knowledge of MPs Connected to Foreign States, Claims Release is Unattainable

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has mentioned that he is aware of the names of MPs who are suspected of aiding foreign states. However, he is unable to disclose these names due to laws preventing the release of classified information.

During his appearance at the House of Commons public safety committee on June 6, Mr. LeBlanc stated, “I know a number of names that were surfaced in various intelligence products that I had seen.”

The minister was participating in the committee’s study on Bill C-70, which aims to revamp national security legislation to better counter foreign interference.

According to the report, which was based on about 4,000 government documents, MPs “began wittingly assisting foreign state actors soon after their election.”

When Tory MP Frank Caputo inquired, “Do you know the names of these people?” Mr. LeBlanc confirmed that he did have access to the names but clarified that he was not part of the production of the NSICOP report and thus was unsure of the documents consulted in its review.

Mr. LeBlanc emphasized that although he has access to crucial intelligence information that may include names, he believes it would be irresponsible to publicly disclose a list that is not entirely reliable.

Responding to Mr. Caputo’s question about Canadians’ right to know if a candidate is influenced by a foreign state before the next election, Mr. LeBlanc expressed confidence in the security and intelligence agencies of the country.

The federal police force did confirm that it is currently investigating a “broad range of foreign interference in Canada, including matters which intersect with democratic institutions.”

It was revealed that the RCMP was unaware of some of the details mentioned in the NSICOP report.

The report was initiated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March 2023 following pressure to establish a public inquiry into foreign interference, specifically from Beijing as suggested by intelligence leaks in the media.

The inquiry, which was eventually launched in the fall, has exposed extensive foreign interference, as demonstrated by various government reports and investigations.

In early May, the Liberal government introduced Bill C-70, an Act focusing on countering foreign interference, which includes the creation of a foreign influence registry and new criminal offenses, among other measures.