Ottawa

How one man took a nation’s reputation into his own hands

Tease the day: Jeffrey Delisle has Canada’s allies nervous

Andrew Vaughan/CP

Reputations really can turn on a dime, even after decades of work. Canada’s reputation in the international intelligence community has been cast into doubt by a single man, Jeffrey Delisle. We’re now learning that Delisle’s confessed espionage, which included trading classified intelligence to the Russians for modest financial sums over a period of several years, has Canada’s allies nervous. If Canada doesn’t better protect its data, the Globe reports, the country “will lose access to certain intelligence that is provided”—or, in other words, be cut out of the loop. Meanwhile, two Canadians whose existence remains unproven are posing problems in Algeria. The Globe reports today that the unidentified duo, who the Algerians say played a role in the deadly hostage-taking last month, are “of great concern” to American intelligence officials in the region. The paper doesn’t elaborate much on those concerns, and there’s no indication the episode will harm Canada’s reputation in the region. Still, what damage three Canadians can do, even if we’ll only ever be able to name one of them, to the country’s image around the world.


What’s above the fold this morning?

The Globe and Mail leads with former prime minister Jean Chrétien’s “instrumental role” in helping an oil and gas company that would eventually pleaded guilty to bribery charges. The National Post fronts the latest from Canada’s anti-abortion movement, including a protest in B.C. and a request from three Conservative MPs that the RCMP investigate late-term abortions. The Toronto Star goes above the fold with a Competition Bureau investigation of alleged price-fixing at residential construction sites in Toronto. The Ottawa Citizen leads with a Senate order that all Senators who claim primary residences outside of Ottawa prove they maintain those residences. iPolitics fronts a Canadian Press story that says outgoing Canadian Space Agency president Steve MacLean might be leaving his post because of the federal government’s lack of vision on space policyCBC.ca leads with a deadly explosion at the headquarters of Mexico’s state-owned oil company. National Newswatch showcases the Citizen‘s front-page story on Senators’ residences.


Stories that will be (mostly) missed

1. Unionized inmates. The Public Service Labour Relations Board shot down an attempt by working federal inmates in B.C. to form a union, the Canadian Prisoners Labour Confederation. 2. Arctic Council. As Canada gears up to lead the eight-nation Arctic council, environmentalists worry that the feds will push to develop the region’s resources too hastily.
3. Acne meds. Health Canada is reviewing Diane-35, a prescription drug used for birth control and severe acne treatment that’s been connected to deaths in Canada and France. 4. Sick fish. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency approved for consumption thousands of salmon infected with a flu-like virus that the agency says poses no risk to humans.

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