Electronic Spy Agency Caught Potential ‘Distribution of Funds’ Related to Elections in 2021

Canada’s electronic spying agency obtained “significant” intelligence related to the “distribution of funds” shortly after the 2021 elections, the interference inquiry heard April 4. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is responsible for collecting signals intelligence (SIGINT) and generally cannot collect intelligence on Canadians or in Canada. Information presented to the inquiry suggests it was able to intercept or hack into foreign communications to retrieve information about elections interference. A summary of a commission interview with CSE executives says “the most significant piece of intelligence CSE collected in relation to the 2019 and 2021 elections was obtained shortly after the 2021 election.” Deputy chief of SIGINT Alia Tayyeb testified the “significance of the intelligence was apparent.” It was promptly shared with the Minister of National Defence, the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and the elections integrity task force, as well as intelligence partners from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and the U.K....