1. If she wants to know what foreign governments are doing to interfere in Alberta's referendums (seperation, and all the others), all she needs do is ask her caucus, office staff, party executive, and circle of friends. They've all made no secret of cozying up to the US, and anyone else snuggling with right wing Americans brings along, like Russia.
2. Maybe the reason the RCMP have not been 'forthcoming' when they talk to her is she, and all of the above, are already subjects of referendum foreign interference investigations. It's the same reason the Organized Crime unit doesn't do coffee klatch with the head of the Hells Angels.
Ha ha ha ha! I'm not laughing at your briefing, Mr. Wark. Rather at the fantastical postings by the trolls here. Yowzers.
Thanks for the factual info about what's needed to get a security clearance if you are a provincial politician. Likewise, for the info about the limits and uncertainties entailed in security reports.
W/o dwelling on Smith herself, let's examine some of the 'pitfalls' of having top level status as stated by, no less than, PP himself:
Brave AI query result for "why pierre poilievre doesn't want security and intelligence access"
[Pierre Poilievre has consistently refused to obtain a top-secret security clearance, arguing that it would "gag" him and restrict his ability to speak freely about national security issues, even in Parliament. He claims the clearance process amounts to an "oath of secrecy" imposed by the Liberal government, which would prevent him from holding the government accountable on matters like foreign interference.
Despite this, Poilievre has rejected alternative pathways, such as the Threat Reduction Measure (TRM), which would allow limited access to classified intelligence without full clearance. His office stated that under the TRM, he would be legally barred from discussing the briefing with anyone except legal counsel and could only act on information if explicitly authorized by the government—rendering the information ineffective for his role.
Critics argue that his refusal limits his ability to fully understand and respond to national security threats, especially given that all other federal party leaders have obtained clearances. However, supporters suggest Poilievre is avoiding a system they view as politically weaponized, where access to intelligence could be used to silence opposition voices. ]
[...]
Suffice to make the point: Is Smith wishing for the ability to 'hide' behind the status she requests?
W/o proving Smith and PP right or wrong, in whatever sense that pertains, the apparent glaring lack of linearity in logic lunges from the literature.
Does intelligence flow through pipelines...only to drain into ditches?
Why not just propose a provincial law requiring any political advocacy group based or operated by a non-resident to register as a foriegn lobbyist, with donation disclosures required? And any political advocacy group whose aim it is to affect legislation disclose any foreign donations they receive?
Presumably she cannot get clearance if, hypothetically, she should face charges in the Corruptcare scandal that the Globe and Mail has published several scoops about the past few days.
Very good article, Mr. Wark. I noticed many missing comments and assume some were made by your “friend” alleging ridiculous nonsense. For me, I am entirely opposed to Premier Smith attaining clearance. One commenter mentioned the provinces setting up their own systems. Good idea!
1. If she wants to know what foreign governments are doing to interfere in Alberta's referendums (seperation, and all the others), all she needs do is ask her caucus, office staff, party executive, and circle of friends. They've all made no secret of cozying up to the US, and anyone else snuggling with right wing Americans brings along, like Russia.
2. Maybe the reason the RCMP have not been 'forthcoming' when they talk to her is she, and all of the above, are already subjects of referendum foreign interference investigations. It's the same reason the Organized Crime unit doesn't do coffee klatch with the head of the Hells Angels.
Look, Prof. Wark isn't a Cuban spy. I am and he's never at the meetings with the rest of us.
Ha ha ha ha! I'm not laughing at your briefing, Mr. Wark. Rather at the fantastical postings by the trolls here. Yowzers.
Thanks for the factual info about what's needed to get a security clearance if you are a provincial politician. Likewise, for the info about the limits and uncertainties entailed in security reports.
W/o dwelling on Smith herself, let's examine some of the 'pitfalls' of having top level status as stated by, no less than, PP himself:
Brave AI query result for "why pierre poilievre doesn't want security and intelligence access"
[Pierre Poilievre has consistently refused to obtain a top-secret security clearance, arguing that it would "gag" him and restrict his ability to speak freely about national security issues, even in Parliament. He claims the clearance process amounts to an "oath of secrecy" imposed by the Liberal government, which would prevent him from holding the government accountable on matters like foreign interference.
Despite this, Poilievre has rejected alternative pathways, such as the Threat Reduction Measure (TRM), which would allow limited access to classified intelligence without full clearance. His office stated that under the TRM, he would be legally barred from discussing the briefing with anyone except legal counsel and could only act on information if explicitly authorized by the government—rendering the information ineffective for his role.
Critics argue that his refusal limits his ability to fully understand and respond to national security threats, especially given that all other federal party leaders have obtained clearances. However, supporters suggest Poilievre is avoiding a system they view as politically weaponized, where access to intelligence could be used to silence opposition voices. ]
[...]
Suffice to make the point: Is Smith wishing for the ability to 'hide' behind the status she requests?
W/o proving Smith and PP right or wrong, in whatever sense that pertains, the apparent glaring lack of linearity in logic lunges from the literature.
Does intelligence flow through pipelines...only to drain into ditches?
Why not just propose a provincial law requiring any political advocacy group based or operated by a non-resident to register as a foriegn lobbyist, with donation disclosures required? And any political advocacy group whose aim it is to affect legislation disclose any foreign donations they receive?
There, all fixed, and well within her mandate.
But I bet she won't.
Presumably she cannot get clearance if, hypothetically, she should face charges in the Corruptcare scandal that the Globe and Mail has published several scoops about the past few days.
A valuable add-on to the Globe article. Thank you for this.
Very good article, Mr. Wark. I noticed many missing comments and assume some were made by your “friend” alleging ridiculous nonsense. For me, I am entirely opposed to Premier Smith attaining clearance. One commenter mentioned the provinces setting up their own systems. Good idea!