Opposition presses government to explain lapses in Delisle spy case

OTTAWA – Opposition MPs are still pressing for answers on the Jeffrey Delisle spy case, but Public Safety Minister Vic Toews continues to say he can’t provide them.

In the House of Commons, New Democrat MP Randall Garrison demanded to know what Toews would do to restore Canada’s credibility with its allies following Delisle’s theft of western secrets.

He cited a Canadian Press report this week that Canada’s spy agency left it to the U.S. FBI to brief the RCMP on the case, and a followup story revealing American officials were looking over Canadian shoulders to ensure security fixes were in place at key military intelligence centres.

Toews read the same talking points he did the previous day, saying he could not comment on national security matters and that conclusions in the reports were inaccurate.

Toews’ office again refused to make him available for an interview, nor would officials elaborate on his comments.

Delisle was sentenced earlier this year to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to passing classified intelligence to Russia in exchange for cash on a regular basis for more than four years.