CCNC Urges of Entire CSIS Report Released 

 Friday January 7, 2011

The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) urges the Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to release the entire CSIS report on foreign interference or provide reasons for non-disclosure.

Toronto, ON – The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) urges the Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to release the entire CSIS report on foreign interference or provide reasons for non-disclosure. The CSIS report entitled “Foreign Influenced Activities” and dated July 29, 2010 (http://www.cbc.ca/news/pdf/csis-atip-1172010177-faddeninterference.pdf) was released under Access to Information yesterday and is heavily censored. “It’s a report about nothing,” Victor Wong, CCNC Executive Director said today. “The report was submitted “For Decision” by the Minister – what was that decision? Is the Government taking any further action?”

“Canadians deserve to know the details and individuals named in the report should have the opportunity to defend themselves.”

On June 22, 2010, CSIS Director Richard Fadden made remarks on CBC that stigmatized our entire community. Mr. Fadden suggested that foreign governments were recruiting agents from the community and specifically alleged that public servants, municipal politicians and two provincial Cabinet Ministers were being influenced by these agents. Mr. Fadden then tried to retract his statements saying “CSIS has not deemed the cases to be of sufficient concern.”

Mr. Fadden’s CBC comments and his post-interview statements were both contradictory and harmful. If Mr. Fadden chooses to make public comments about investigations, he should direct his allegations at specific groups and individuals. Instead, his remarks, while partially retracted, served to stigmatize our entire community and cast a shadow over public servants, municipal officials and provincial Cabinet Ministers.

CCNC and all Canadians would be concerned that foreign governments are recruiting agents and influencing our public servants and elected officials. CCNC takes the position that CSIS needs to take appropriate actions and to conduct thorough investigations where warranted. However, CSIS must also be fully accountable for its public statements.

Founded in 1980, CCNC is a national non-profit organization with 27 chapters across Canada and a community leader for Chinese Canadians in promoting a more just, respectful, and inclusive society. CCNC and allies are one of the co-recipients of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s 2008 Award of Excellence for its work on the Chinese Head Tax redress campaign. 

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For more information or media interviews, please contact:   

Victor Wong, Executive Director at (416) 977-9871or national@ccnc.ca(Toronto)

Sid Chow Tan, CCNC National Chairperson at sidchowtan@gmail.com(Vancouver)

- CCNC