It’s high time Pierre Poilievre got his security clearance

The final report from the foreign interference inquiry was released today, warning of the dangers of disinformation and recommending 51 actions to be undertaken to secure Canadian democracy in the face of mounting threats from foreign governments. One of those recommendations is for all federal party leaders in the House of Commons to obtain Top Secret security clearance, including Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre, who has thus far chosen not to do.

A previous study by the Angus Reid Institute found that a large majority of Canadians believe all federal party leaders should receive the security clearance required to read the NSICOP report. The study was conducted after the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) released a report “alleging that some parliamentarians have either ‘wittingly or semi-wittingly’ participated in foreign interference targeted at Canadian elections.”

66% of Canadians believe all federal party leaders — including Poilievre — should receive security clearance and read the report, including majorities of Conservative (60%), Liberal (79%), NDP (70%) and Bloc Québécois (77%) voters.

“Unlike Justin Trudeau, Jagmeet Singh and Elizabeth May, CPC leader Pierre Poilievre has resisted calls to read the NSICOP report. Observers say Poilievre would be ‘hamstrung’ politically, given that he would be unable to comment on what he read in the report. Others have criticized Poilievre for placing political concerns at the forefront. Singh stated that he believes Poilievre’s unwillingness to do so is ‘disqualifying’ for his pursuit of leading the nation as prime minister.”

For the complete study and methodology, please visit the Angus Reid Institute website.

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