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Perspectives

Maybe Canadians should listen to CSIS when it talks about China

CSIS rarely says a lot openly about what it knows: when it does it should be listened to.

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Perspectives

CSIS is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t

CSIS is criticized when it refuses to divulge anything at all. It is criticized when it at least makes an effort to let out some information. Why should the intelligence agency even try then?

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Perspectives

Has CSIS been getting counter terrorism wrong all these years? Nope.

OK, OK, I am a little sensitive when it comes to articles on CSIS. I did work there for 15 years after all and was (and still am) very proud of what I and my colleagues did to help keep Canadians safe. No, we were not perfect but I think we did our best. So […]

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Perspectives

Making CSIS ‘smarter’ at counter-terrorism, easier said than done!

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the very good when it comes to Canadian counter terrorism.

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Perspectives

Yes CSIS should be on university campuses and yes university students should cooperate

Here we go again. Another day another article on how Canada’s spy agency, CSIS, is intimidating, cowing and harassing university students while on ‘fishing expeditions’ on the nation’s post-secondary campuses. This practice has some concerned that Muslims in particular are ‘under the microscope’ and can lead to embarrassing situations that can effect their lives down […]

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Perspectives

The BCCLA case shows how ignorant Canadians are about CSIS

This piece appeared in The Hill Times on July 22, 2019. As spy agencies go ours in Canada is not that different than others in the Western world. OK, CSIS does not have the sexiness of MI6’s James Bond and may not overthrow regimes like the CIA does but it does share many characteristics with […]

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Phil in the media

CBC News – Tory letter to CSIS ‘unheard of in my experience’

Former CSIS insider Phil Gurksi discusses the Conservatives’ letter to CSIS about investigating former Canadian ambassador to China John McCallum’s comments to a Chinese media outlet.

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Phil in the media Video

CTV News – Allegation against CSIS

Phil Gurski from Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting on how CSIS gathers information for national security or public safety purposes.

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Video

What is the role of CSIS in Canada and do they need to be more open? | Your Morning

Some Canadians don’t know what CSIS does and former CSIS analyst Phil Gurski says that is due to a lack of communication that should be fixed.

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Perspectives

What the Annual CSIS Report tells us about national security and public safety

CSIS is far from perfect but it is an excellent, dedicated and professional security service. Canadians should be glad we have these people watching out for us.