KNOWLEDGE GAPS — If there’s a common thread to pull from the bloodsport of federal politics these past two weeks, it’s that the state of intelligence gathering in Canada is in need of repair.
— Rewind the tape: Two weeks ago, Justice PAUL ROULEAU delivered his inquiry report on the government's decision to use extraordinary emergency powers to dispel the Freedom Convoy. Rouleau reluctantly agreed Ottawa met a high threshold when it invoked unprecedented measures during a chaotic situation. While Rouleau determined there was a threat, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) advised Trudeau otherwise. “While CSIS’s input was, of course, an important consideration for Cabinet, it was not, and should not have been, determinative,” wrote Rouleau. His inquiry report noted “a gap” in legislation that limited the federal government’s ability to keep tabs on online activities related to the convoy. “This gap hampered its ability to anticipate the convoy and understand and gauge the situation as events unfolded,” Rouleau wrote. — Another refresh: On the day of the Rouleau decision, the Globe and Mail’s BOB FIFE and STEVEN CHASE rained on the PMO vindication parade with a front-page story about Beijing’s alleged foreign interference in elections. Global News’ SAM COOPER followed up a week later with a story with unnamed sources citing CSIS intel that alleged Liberal MP HAN DONG to be the beneficiary of Beijing-backed electoral tactics. — One more: MORRIS ROSENBERG’s report this week recommended the government lower the threshold at which foreign interference activity would merit a public alert. — Where are we now: “This is not about Chinese Canadians who are first and foremost the victims of Beijing’s interference activities,” Conservative MP MICHAEL COOPER said Wednesday at a parliamentary committee probing the leaks. “This scandal is about what the prime minister knows about this interference, when he first learned about it, and what he did about it or failed to do about it.” — Reality check: But, of course, the issue is about Chinese Canadians — the ones who have to live with the impacts of partisan warmongering in between elections. All politicians eventually leave office. — Noted Thursday: Opposition MPs passed an NDP motion in committee to call on the government to launch a national public inquiry into alleged foreign interference, but not limited to elections. The motion says the commissioner would be chosen by all parties. — Missing in action: Thoughtful introspection and discussion about the systemic barriers and legislative gaps that may make diaspora communities susceptible to foreign interference tactics. — Talking heads: Former Conservative national campaign manager FRED DELOREY shared his skepticism about a national inquiry with Power & Politics’ DAVID COCHRANE. “I’m not saying a public inquiry is out of the question,” DeLorey said. “I just have issues with the thought of a major national security issue being dealt with in this forum. I just don’t know what we’re gonna get out of that.” — Meanwhile at CSIS: Spy agency director DAVID VIGNEAULT confirmed to MPs that an internal hunt is underway to scout the source of the media leaks. — What’s ahead: There’s political pressure on Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU to be clear on whether he endorses or rejects the idea of an inquiry, be it in a national public forum or behind the closed doors of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. Those inquiry questions are bound to find him during a media availability in Winnipeg today. Did someone forward Ottawa Playbook your way? Click here to sign up for your own edition. It’s free! | 
