Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency
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Following World War II, a number of Western nations created foreign secret intelligence agencies, but Canada was not among them. Though occasional debates have arisen in the past, a Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency has never been formed. Instead intelligence and security was handled by the RCMP Security Service, a division of the Canadian federal police force the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Canadian intelligence operations, such as they exist, are presently maintained by the domestic Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which was formed in 1984, during the Cold War, but Canada depended largely on its allies, particularly the US and UK, for intelligence.[1] The Department of National Defence, and other federal government agencies also play a role.
Thinking[according to whom?] has been that, due to the lack of clear and present danger to Canada, the cost of operating such an agency, and the political risk involved, such an agency is not a necessity. However, supporters of a dedicated Canadian agency noted that Canada could not rely on its interests coinciding with those of the UK and USA which supplied its intelligence, in contrast to the Cold War period when they shared a common enemy.[1] A dedicated agency might also boost Canada's international standing and increase its global influence.[1]
The Conservative government of Stephen Harper raised the issue again in 2006[1], and stated that it will "expand the Canadian Foreign Intelligence Agency to effectively gather intelligence overseas, independently counter threats before they reach Canada, and increase allied intelligence operations."[citation needed] However it later changed its mind and decided to give further powers to CSIS.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Weese, Bryn. "Canada needs foreign spy service: Experts". CNews. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Federal government scraps plan for foreign intelligence agency". Canada.com. May 15, 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
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