Questions have arisen over whether CSIS Director David Vigneault “may have pulled back the warrant to make an edit” after initial concerns were raised by Bill Blair’s office at the time.

By Sam Cooper | The Bureau

Summary

New insights have emerged regarding the delayed approval of a national security warrant targeting Liberal Party fundraiser Michael Chan, raising questions about potential political interference. The Bureau’s analysis of submissions to the Hogue Commission on foreign interference, as well as newly available documents, suggests that former CSIS Director David Vigneault may have paused the warrant to make edits after concerns were raised by then-Public Safety Minister Bill Blair’s office.

The implications of the warrant extend to a list of senior Liberals who could be affected by CSIS surveillance of Chan, prompting calls for an RCMP investigation into possible obstruction of justice. Submissions from lawyers involved in the Hogue Commission indicate that the delay—lasting at least 54 days—could have been politically motivated, possibly aimed at protecting a cabinet minister.

Evidence suggests that Blair was briefed on the warrant approximately 20 days after it was received by his office, contradicting claims that he was only briefed on the 54th day.

Testimony from Blair’s chief of staff, Zita Astravas, and CSIS officials has revealed inconsistencies regarding the number of briefings and the nature of communications between the minister’s office and CSIS.

A lawyer for the Conservative Party asserted:
“Participant after participant attempted to get some understanding from Ms. Astravas, Minister Blair, and even Prime Minister Trudeau’s most senior political staff for why it took so long. All were stymied in their efforts, and no cogent explanation was provided. The imperative is therefore upon the Commission to provide a conclusion to this mystery, and the answer should be obvious. Upon receipt of the warrant application—including the Vanweenan list—Ms. Astravas realized that a number of high-ranking Liberals were going to be surveilled by CSIS, and realized that the information that would emerge from this surveillance was likely to be highly damaging to the Liberals.”

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