Trudeau speaks with Trump about Ukraine, fentanyl fight, PMO says
The Prime Minister's Office says Justin Trudeau spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine on Saturday ahead of a virtual G7 meeting slated for Monday.
Earlier this week, Trudeau told reporters that Ukraine must have a seat at the table in any talks on ending hostilities ignited by Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago.
Russian and U.S. representatives met in Saudi Arabia this week, without Kyiv's participation, and agreed to work toward a resolution of the war.
Internal report urged Canada to counter rhetoric about a 'crisis' at border
An internal government report warned a year ago that allowing "the trend of negative rhetoric" about the security of the Canada-U.S. border could lead to a thickening of the 49th parallel, adversely affecting trade and travel.
The report, written by a diplomat at Canada's embassy in Washington, said that failing to refute U.S. claims about a "crisis at the northern border" would lead to the erosion of Canada's image as a secure neighbour.
Federal unit uncovers 'malicious' effort tied to China aimed at Chrystia Freeland
A federal unit that tracks suspected foreign interference has uncovered a "co-ordinated and malicious" effort — possibly launched by China — against Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland.
Rapid Response Mechanism Canada, based at Global Affairs Canada, is monitoring cyberspace for signs of state-sponsored information manipulation on behalf of the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force.
The government recently announced the task force, which is usually active during election campaigns, would operate during the Liberal leadership contest.
Laundering of fentanyl cash linked to online betting sites, intelligence agency warns
Canada's financial intelligence agency suspects online gambling platforms are being used to launder proceeds from fentanyl dealing and production.
In an operational alert, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada says there is reason to believe people are depositing and withdrawing funds at online casinos to disguise proceeds from the traffic in deadly fentanyl and other opioids as wagers and winnings.
Problems with RCMP police dog program pose 'health and wellness risks': evaluation
The RCMP's police dog training centre has been plagued by staffing shortages, low morale and rundown facilities that pose health risks to officers and canines, an internal review says.
The evaluation of RCMP police dog services reveals numerous challenges for the program that supplies and trains four-legged helpers to protect VIPs, support emergency teams, and sniff out suspects and illicit drugs.
Chief electoral officer proposes legislative changes to crack down on deepfakes
Canada's elections chief wants a ban on the misrepresentation of candidates and other key players in the electoral process through manipulation of their voice or image without consent.
The proposed change to the Canada Elections Act is among several measures chief electoral officer Stéphane Perrault is putting forward to address the use of deepfakes and other artificially created content to fool voters.
In an interview, Perrault said he is "hoping to convince" MPs to expand an electoral reform bill, currently in a House of Commons committee, to include some new elements.
CSIS tracked intelligence flow across government in foreign interference leak probe
Canada's spy service tracked the flow of its intelligence reports across government and studied how other agencies handled them as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information about foreign interference, a newly released memo shows.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service described the "tireless efforts" in the memo prepared for staff who were keen for an update on the probe into unauthorized disclosures to the media.
Focus on possibly treasonous MPs could become 'kangaroo court': ex-minister
A former public safety minister says he is very worried the unfolding conversation about some parliamentarians being complicit in foreign interference is becoming a "kangaroo court."
Marco Mendicino told a commission of inquiry into foreign meddling Thursday it is important to follow due process under the law before jumping to conclusions about the conduct of parliamentarians.
Federal ministers were told of increasing 'volume and complexity' of foreign threats
A newly released document shows federal cabinet ministers were warned in May 2022 that hostile states were targeting Canada's strategic interests, the integrity of Canadian institutions and democratic processes, and the ability of the public to exercise Charter-protected rights and freedoms.
The document is a summary of one of four memorandums to cabinet, generally considered closely held confidences, that were provided to a federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference as part of its terms of reference.
CSIS says a former parliamentarian may have worked on behalf of a foreign government
A former parliamentarian is suspected of "having worked to influence parliamentary business" on behalf of an unnamed foreign government, Canada's spy service told a federal inquiry Friday.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service also cited indications that an unspecified foreign government engaged in meddling to reduce the likelihood of a specific Liberal candidate of being elected federally.