A week after the chair of Canada's spy review board resigned amid revelations of questionable business dealings and close ties to an African president, another committee member is defending his own work with the government of Saudi Arabia, prompting debate among intelligence experts over whether a relationship with a foreign government represents a potential conflict of interest.
The broader lives of Security and Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) members, who work part-time and have myriad professional connections, are raising concerns in the intelligence community about Canada's security and financial vetting process, particularly as it relates to potential or perceived conflicts of interest and this country's ability to safeguard secrets. Analysts say even the appearance of a conflict of interest is enough to give pause.
"Maybe there should be some guidelines on this - on what's acceptable and what's not acceptable," said Reg Whitaker, a York University political science professor who received top-secret clearance to advise the judge heading the Maher Arar inquiry, referring to foreign connections.
One SIRC appointee, Dr. Phillipe Couillard, is also an international advisory board member for Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health, and said it is "an important" part of his professional life. He is paid by the Saudi government to meet at least annually with 10 other members in Riyadh, where they hold talks with that country's health minister about potential reforms.
Watching the spywatchers
What do you think about this? Conflict of interest?
The broader lives of Security and Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) members, who work part-time and have myriad professional connections, are raising concerns in the intelligence community about Canada's security and financial vetting process, particularly as it relates to potential or perceived conflicts of interest and this country's ability to safeguard secrets. Analysts say even the appearance of a conflict of interest is enough to give pause.
"Maybe there should be some guidelines on this - on what's acceptable and what's not acceptable," said Reg Whitaker, a York University political science professor who received top-secret clearance to advise the judge heading the Maher Arar inquiry, referring to foreign connections.
One SIRC appointee, Dr. Phillipe Couillard, is also an international advisory board member for Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health, and said it is "an important" part of his professional life. He is paid by the Saudi government to meet at least annually with 10 other members in Riyadh, where they hold talks with that country's health minister about potential reforms.
Watching the spywatchers
What do you think about this? Conflict of interest?
