All this calls for a quick and sudden maturing of the overall Canadian Intelligence Enterprise (CIE), necessarily involving a new, cohesiveness across governments at all three levels, federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal. Think of this as the intelligence equivalent of breaking down provincial trade barriers.
Let's not get overly wrapped around the axle of nonsense in Washington for its own sake. The idiocy rampant in the White House and elsewhere is simply a good kick in the #$&@s for us to grow up and finally decide to do our own thing.
Not only is the Trump circus chaos personified, it will not be over in four years, for two reasons. First, I see no credible opposition from any American element. The population seems to have gone 'turtle.' Second, wait for it, at some point Trump will steamroller over constitutional provisions prohibiting a third term... or any term limits. This is a new game. We need new rules and different equipment in Canada.
A re-vamped CIE on its own is not enough. In fact it is one component that is necessarily derived from a true omnibus national security policy, implemented by a truly whole-of-society grand strategy that engages all elements of Canadian national power. But here's the rub... we have never had a government with the intellectual power to think beyond the next election and craft truly enduring Canadian political goals. Past policy statements are all tasteless pablum describing action to be taken, without any definition of what is to be achieved.
Even today, we hear about more drones on the border, two new helicopters, more CBSA officers, more RCMP, but we don't hear about any RESULTS. SHOW us the Chinese gang members and Khalistani militants in handcuffs, being led away by burly RCMP Officers. Show us the burned out remains of a drug lab in a BC forest. Show us the American criminal caught smuggling guns into Canada being tossed into the back of police van.
Enough of the pep talk. Let's do something, beginning with everything prescribed by Dr. Wark.
It has come to this. Eighty years of close postwar intelligence cooperation down the White House sewer. Of course there were blips and squiggles before (the suicide of Herbert Norman, etc.) but nothing to shake the foundations. Until now.
You ask, sarcastically, in passing: "Where is E. Howard Hunt when you need him?"
How about: "Where is Lee Harvey Oswald when you need him?"
Thanks for this column, Wesley. Trump round two is a tremendous threat for the stability of the whole world.
Gabbard is not just alleged to have been in a cult she was born and raised into this cult and is still a member. It's an offshoot of Hare Krishna led by a charismatic Guru. The actual "cult" status is debatable but they have been trying to get their people into elected office and Tulsi is the most successful.
I find that the most disturbing is her craven seeking of power. She was a Democratic congressman for Hawaii and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. When she didn't get it she switched to Trump because she saw an opportunity and obviously it looks like it's going to pay off in spades for her.
It's also interesting that these Republicans would support a Hindu for this position. Not that there's anything wrong with the average Hindu, of course, but theyre such Christian fanatics that it's unusual. I guess as long as she does what they want they're okay with it.
Each of Trump's appointees are horrifically unfit in different ways. This is all very bad for Canada because he has decided he should take us over and what's going to stop him?
Brilliant, yet very saddening article Professor. Our imminent existential threat is our closest international partner. Shades of 1947!
Time for our politicians to seriously (it’s no joke) respond to the Manifest Destiny declarations emanating from Washington, and circle the wagons regarding our intelligence sharing!
I read Wesley's column regularly this is my first time commenting. I'm happy to see others are aware of the security issues for Canada inherent in the current U.S. Administrations "policies", if want to call them that, it seems a little too dignified to call them "policies" given their ill conceived nature. My comment is to do with the Commonwealth of Nations of which we are a member as are 55 other nations. Maybe reemphasizing this relationship particularly with Australia, New Zealand and Britain, could be a benefit to our nation's security as Mr. Wark suggested convening a meeting of the remaining 4 eyes countries. I think this is a stellar idea. In addition to this perhaps highlight that there is a historic military connection between these countries. I always thought that it was a little hasty to reform the military in the 1960s as the CAF while leaving the royal connection out. I can't help but think that if Queen Elizabeth were still alive the current President wouldn't be so outlandish in his remarks about taking over Canada. Wishful thinking perhaps, King Charles has been mum on the situation. She was the last monarch of the "Empire" so to speak and was well respected in the international community. Whoever thought we might need protection from our neighbors to the south 200 years after the war of 1812 and the Oregon Treaty of 1848 establishing the 49th parallel? Well, here we are. Maybe up defense spending to five percent? Our military industries have been slowly eroded since the exodus of aviation experts to the U.S. in the 1960s. It's not too late to invest in Canada.
Doubtful that a Maga-led CIA would and could get Canadians to commit treason – motivation to betray ?? I’d worry more about the NSA. (Remember Ms. Merkel’s phone)
I've been surprised that the number of people, mostly conservative leaning, who have said they think that joining the US is a good idea if they get citizenship and their money at par.
I would really like that Open Source Intelligence Office to open now and start taking unemployed Canadians, or even post job listings. Please don't use a contractor to do it like the Big Four Firms or Accenture.
Ok, so how does one know that the "watchers" would not simply spy on provincial governments seen as "unfriendly" to the federal government? I doubt very much the Surete or the OPP would accept a watcher (or an RCMP "advisor") to oversee their enforcement duties. Under our federal system of government, law enforcement is provincial jurisdiction. I get that the pearl clutching index is reaching 11, but let's all take a deep breath, okay. This too shall pass. With respect to intelligence sharing, I doubt Canada is in the position to share much, considering how infiltrated our federal government is by the CCP. I doubt there is much going on in Ottawa that Beijing isn't aware of. And before anybody poo-poos this idea, just remember the Cambridge 5 and the damage they did to Western Intelligence. How long were they in place before they were finally unearthed? Who's to say we don't have the same thing happening in Canada right now? I don't doubt we have some very talented and patriotic individuals working in CSIS, but I also think they get sidelined for political reasons, and their concerns are usually not taken too seriously.
This has long been coming. Why not til now? Ask the Leader of the Loyal Opposition who has come up with a flimsy excuse as to why he cannot have security clearance. Let me put it this way. Let him apply for it. When he gets it, he can deny it. Otherwise, he is full of…
Seeing this “my provincial government” cannot allow this…are Canadians that slow to realise that Musk is data mining US citizens? Seriously, are Canadians that slow on the uptake? Are they that “Trudeau” dumb that they do not see a grab on treasury information as a “bad thing”?
All this calls for a quick and sudden maturing of the overall Canadian Intelligence Enterprise (CIE), necessarily involving a new, cohesiveness across governments at all three levels, federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal. Think of this as the intelligence equivalent of breaking down provincial trade barriers.
Let's not get overly wrapped around the axle of nonsense in Washington for its own sake. The idiocy rampant in the White House and elsewhere is simply a good kick in the #$&@s for us to grow up and finally decide to do our own thing.
Not only is the Trump circus chaos personified, it will not be over in four years, for two reasons. First, I see no credible opposition from any American element. The population seems to have gone 'turtle.' Second, wait for it, at some point Trump will steamroller over constitutional provisions prohibiting a third term... or any term limits. This is a new game. We need new rules and different equipment in Canada.
A re-vamped CIE on its own is not enough. In fact it is one component that is necessarily derived from a true omnibus national security policy, implemented by a truly whole-of-society grand strategy that engages all elements of Canadian national power. But here's the rub... we have never had a government with the intellectual power to think beyond the next election and craft truly enduring Canadian political goals. Past policy statements are all tasteless pablum describing action to be taken, without any definition of what is to be achieved.
Even today, we hear about more drones on the border, two new helicopters, more CBSA officers, more RCMP, but we don't hear about any RESULTS. SHOW us the Chinese gang members and Khalistani militants in handcuffs, being led away by burly RCMP Officers. Show us the burned out remains of a drug lab in a BC forest. Show us the American criminal caught smuggling guns into Canada being tossed into the back of police van.
Enough of the pep talk. Let's do something, beginning with everything prescribed by Dr. Wark.
Jim, fully agree with you regarding Trump trying to stay beyond his current term. The wheels are already in motion.
It has come to this. Eighty years of close postwar intelligence cooperation down the White House sewer. Of course there were blips and squiggles before (the suicide of Herbert Norman, etc.) but nothing to shake the foundations. Until now.
You ask, sarcastically, in passing: "Where is E. Howard Hunt when you need him?"
How about: "Where is Lee Harvey Oswald when you need him?"
And Booth ?
Thanks for this column, Wesley. Trump round two is a tremendous threat for the stability of the whole world.
Gabbard is not just alleged to have been in a cult she was born and raised into this cult and is still a member. It's an offshoot of Hare Krishna led by a charismatic Guru. The actual "cult" status is debatable but they have been trying to get their people into elected office and Tulsi is the most successful.
I find that the most disturbing is her craven seeking of power. She was a Democratic congressman for Hawaii and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. When she didn't get it she switched to Trump because she saw an opportunity and obviously it looks like it's going to pay off in spades for her.
It's also interesting that these Republicans would support a Hindu for this position. Not that there's anything wrong with the average Hindu, of course, but theyre such Christian fanatics that it's unusual. I guess as long as she does what they want they're okay with it.
Each of Trump's appointees are horrifically unfit in different ways. This is all very bad for Canada because he has decided he should take us over and what's going to stop him?
Brilliant, yet very saddening article Professor. Our imminent existential threat is our closest international partner. Shades of 1947!
Time for our politicians to seriously (it’s no joke) respond to the Manifest Destiny declarations emanating from Washington, and circle the wagons regarding our intelligence sharing!
I read Wesley's column regularly this is my first time commenting. I'm happy to see others are aware of the security issues for Canada inherent in the current U.S. Administrations "policies", if want to call them that, it seems a little too dignified to call them "policies" given their ill conceived nature. My comment is to do with the Commonwealth of Nations of which we are a member as are 55 other nations. Maybe reemphasizing this relationship particularly with Australia, New Zealand and Britain, could be a benefit to our nation's security as Mr. Wark suggested convening a meeting of the remaining 4 eyes countries. I think this is a stellar idea. In addition to this perhaps highlight that there is a historic military connection between these countries. I always thought that it was a little hasty to reform the military in the 1960s as the CAF while leaving the royal connection out. I can't help but think that if Queen Elizabeth were still alive the current President wouldn't be so outlandish in his remarks about taking over Canada. Wishful thinking perhaps, King Charles has been mum on the situation. She was the last monarch of the "Empire" so to speak and was well respected in the international community. Whoever thought we might need protection from our neighbors to the south 200 years after the war of 1812 and the Oregon Treaty of 1848 establishing the 49th parallel? Well, here we are. Maybe up defense spending to five percent? Our military industries have been slowly eroded since the exodus of aviation experts to the U.S. in the 1960s. It's not too late to invest in Canada.
Doubtful that a Maga-led CIA would and could get Canadians to commit treason – motivation to betray ?? I’d worry more about the NSA. (Remember Ms. Merkel’s phone)
Are you sure? Do you remember this guy? He posted this right out of the gate.
https://x.com/Stockwell_Day/status/1870095169837556165
I've been surprised that the number of people, mostly conservative leaning, who have said they think that joining the US is a good idea if they get citizenship and their money at par.
+ AB premier …
Yes. But thats lightyears away from someone with access to classified information betraying their country… and for Trump!
I would really like that Open Source Intelligence Office to open now and start taking unemployed Canadians, or even post job listings. Please don't use a contractor to do it like the Big Four Firms or Accenture.
Well said, Jim. The problem is getting our lame-duck PM and govt to take the necessary actions you have clearly articulated.
Ok, so how does one know that the "watchers" would not simply spy on provincial governments seen as "unfriendly" to the federal government? I doubt very much the Surete or the OPP would accept a watcher (or an RCMP "advisor") to oversee their enforcement duties. Under our federal system of government, law enforcement is provincial jurisdiction. I get that the pearl clutching index is reaching 11, but let's all take a deep breath, okay. This too shall pass. With respect to intelligence sharing, I doubt Canada is in the position to share much, considering how infiltrated our federal government is by the CCP. I doubt there is much going on in Ottawa that Beijing isn't aware of. And before anybody poo-poos this idea, just remember the Cambridge 5 and the damage they did to Western Intelligence. How long were they in place before they were finally unearthed? Who's to say we don't have the same thing happening in Canada right now? I don't doubt we have some very talented and patriotic individuals working in CSIS, but I also think they get sidelined for political reasons, and their concerns are usually not taken too seriously.
This has long been coming. Why not til now? Ask the Leader of the Loyal Opposition who has come up with a flimsy excuse as to why he cannot have security clearance. Let me put it this way. Let him apply for it. When he gets it, he can deny it. Otherwise, he is full of…
Seeing this “my provincial government” cannot allow this…are Canadians that slow to realise that Musk is data mining US citizens? Seriously, are Canadians that slow on the uptake? Are they that “Trudeau” dumb that they do not see a grab on treasury information as a “bad thing”?