By Canadian Press

Ex-national security adviser to PM unsurprised Chong memo didn’t reach politicians

Jun 8, 2023 | 9:56 AM

OTTAWA — A former top adviser to the prime minister says a memo warning about Beijing’s alleged targeting of Conservative MP Michael Chong was produced after he retired, but he was aware of issues in the way intelligence is handled. 

Vincent Rigby appeared this morning at a parliamentary committee that is investigating allegations that MPs were targeted by foreign interference.

His testimony comes after the release of watchdog David Johnston’s first report, which found there are serious issues with the way the government handles confidential information.

Former public safety minister Bill Blair blamed the Canadian Security Intelligence Service last week for the fact he did not receive the 2021 classified memo about Chong.

Rigby says that during his tenure, he was concerned about intelligence being appropriately followed up on, but he says he can’t speak to what specifically happened with Blair’s office or the memo.

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Current adviser Jody Thomas said last week the memo was provided to her interim predecessor David Morrison in August 2021, but Morrison said in a statement that he doesn’t recall receiving or discussing it.

David Vigneault, the head of CSIS, is scheduled to appear before the committee next Tuesday. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2023.

David Fraser, The Canadian Press