Mayor Patrick Brown briefed by CSIS on foreign interference in Brampton: report

Mayor Patrick Brown says he’s been briefed on examples of foreign influence in Brampton amid allegations that India, China and other countries are meddling in Canadian affairs, according to a report.

The comments come after the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians alleged unnamed MPs and senators had a part in foreign governments interfering in Canadian politics.

The mayor has reportedly been briefed by the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service on the potential of foreign interference in Brampton, but could not disclose specifics due to security reasons.

“I do, as mayor — the mayors in the GTA get briefings from CSIS on what we should be aware of — and I’ve certainly been briefed of examples of foreign interference in Brampton and Peel Region,” the mayor said in a report from the Brampton Guardian.

Brown said he believes there is foreign interference happening in Brampton as well as in Peel Region, which includes Mississauga and Brampton.

India, Pakistan and Iran “engaged in foreign interference activities” according to the report. China also “allegedly interfered in the leadership races of the Conservative Party of Canada” – a race that Brown was disqualified from in 2022.

The CPC ousted Brown from the race over allegations he broke finance rules. Brown denied any wrongdoing and his campaign has fought back against the allegations, accusing the party of “reprehensible, undemocratic behaviour.”

The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The report has sent shockwaves through Ottawa with some party leaders calling for the names of implicated politicians to be made public.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who has top secret-level security clearance, has seen the unredacted report and was “vastly relieved” it found no current sitting MPs were involved.

But one unnamed former MP is accused of proactively sharing privileged information with a foreign operative – something she said should be “fully investigated and prosecuted.”

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was slated to see the unredacted report late Wednesday saying he would eject any New Democrat MP the report shows knowingly took part in meddling.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with G-7 leaders at a summit in Italy with misinformation and foreign interference on the list of Canada’s top priorities.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has not taken steps to acquire the security clearance needed to read the full report, but has called for the names to be made public.

– With files from The Canadian Press