Spy agency fights to withhold information it gathered on political icon
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service says any order to release its file on former NDP leader Tommy Douglas would have profound and lasting consequences on the spy agency’s work. “The requirement for secrecy with respect to past and current activities of a security intelligence agency is essential; the origin of information, its extent and the methods by which it was obtained must remain a secret,” the access to information and privacy co-ordinator for CSIS argues in a Federal Court affidavit. A Canadian Press reporter has been seeking access to the agency’s files on Douglas since 2005. The RCMP Security Service apparently kept close tabs on Douglas, even eavesdropping on private conversations.