The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Aug. 15, edition that secrets upon secrets surround a
hearing into allegations that Canada's
spy agency kept tabs on
anti-pipeline environmental groups and may even have
used moles.
A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the lawyer
representing the groups was
forbidden from discussing anything
that took place at a restricted
hearing of the Canadian
Security Intelligence Service
watchdog committee.
Josh Patterson, executive director
of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association,
which filed a
complaint on behalf of several
groups, said he was barred from
sharing any information with his
clients about his participation in
the Vancouver hearing on
Wednesday.
Will Horter, director
of the Dogwood Initiative, one of
the groups alleging CSIS illegally
spied on them, said Mr. Paterson
was unable to tell him anything
about his testimony.
Mr. Horter said: "I asked a fairly simple question
of my lawyer: 'Did you feel
like you got a fair hearing?' And
he said, 'I can't answer that question.'
That's deeply disturbing."
The hearing is determining
whether CSIS crossed the
legal line in eyeing anti-pipeline
activists.
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