CSIS director says Alberta referendum vulnerable to foreign interference

The head up of Canada's intelligence authority agency says Alberta's potency sezession vote is susceptible to disinformation and foreign interference from players like Russia.

"And a referendum like the one in Alberta, that may have a divisive effect on society, is rife for amplification or for the sort of disinformation or foreign interference that we've seen from players like Russia in the past," he told host Catherine Cullen. 

His comments come on the heels of a report out this week from a team of researchers warning Russian and pro-Trump U.S. Actors are amplifying and spreading disinformation about Alberta separatism in the hope of sowing distrust in key institutions and authorities, and undermining unity.

The report, authored by DisinfoWatch, the Canadian Digital Media Research Network and CASiLabs, pointed to a range of threats, from covert influence campaigns from countries such as Russia and China, to public remarks and actions by the Trump administration to encourage Alberta separatists. 

Rogers wouldn't directly answer questions about any ongoing investigations. 

"I'm obviously aware of the Russian information and disinformation ecosystem that exists out there," he said.

"And I've seen the reports from academic and other public institutions that have called that out, and they're very consistent with what we've seen from Russia in the past."  

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday the RCMP has told her government "there's no credible evidence that we're seeing any state actors who are interfering in our politics."

She added she's pursued getting top secret-level security clearance so she can "be assured that remains the case." 

"We think that Albertans are smart enough to be able to look at a number of different viewpoints and figure things out," Smith said.

The academic report published this week also said statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about Canada has given momentum to the movement.

Rogers stressed that for CSIS, foreign interference is legally defined as clandestine, deceptive or involving a threat to any person.

"The sort of overt commentary that many people will see from influencers or from officials from any country doesn't constitute foreign interference, in that definition," he said. 

The civil society report predicts a ramped up campaign of disinformation if the independence referendum is approved for an Oct. 19 vote — the date Smith has set aside for referendums.

Rogers said it's hard to predict the landscape, adding Russia is an actor that "has regularly across the world sought to amplify divisive narratives, to sow distrust in institutions, and has shown proclivity to looking at democratic processes."

"I think it's wise to be mindful of that and for Canadians to be mindful of that, Albertans in particular, as they exercise their political rights in the referendum," he said.

CSIS's annual report, tabled last week in the House of Commons, showed the service used threat reduction powers — operational measures it can take to stop or weaken a threat to the security of Canada — 16 times last year, once with a warrant and the rest without. 

Alberta separatists say referendum petition has 300,000 signatures

While the report does say CSIS is working to reduce Russia's sophisticated disinformation methods, Rogers would not say whether any of those threat reduction measures involved the Alberta referendum.

"I expect we will continue to use it a number of times this year. Unfortunately, I can't say the specifics," he said.

As Prime Minister Mark Carney promises to build projects of national importance including ports, railways, energy corridors and critical mineral developments more quickly, CSIS's annual report showed it's been briefing the Major Projects Office about potential risks.

The office works to shepherd proposed projects across the finish line.

The CSIS report warns that "states who seek to advance their interests at the expense of Canada may target public and private sectors working on these projects."

"We did have to pivot to supporting the government's economic agenda as the new government came in," said Rogers. 

The agency has been providing intelligence and analysis of projects under consideration.

"There may be concerns with who has control over critical infrastructure because of their ability to manipulate or disrupt that critical infrastructure," Rogers said.

"There may even be concerns with supply chain or infrastructure that might be installed in Canada that might be used for multiple purposes, including espionage. CSIS has to be mindful of those potentials, and to try and work with government to avoid those threats from manifesting."

Under the Building Canada Act, the minister in charge must undertake a national security review for all state-owned or foreign investments from hostile countries in any national interest project. 

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