The True Post(Web News) Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Dan Rogers’ first public address in Ottawa
In his speech, he warned about the four countries that pose the greatest national security threats to Canada: Russia, China, Iran and India. He said that Russia is spying on Canada’s Arctic region, government agencies and the private sector, while its clandestine networks are illegally obtaining Canadian technology and commercial goods through various front companies and transferring them to Russia, where these goods are used in Russian military activities in Ukraine and other places.
Regarding China, the director said that its military and intelligence agencies are trying to access sensitive Canadian government information, as well as actively expanding its strategic and economic influence in the Arctic region. On the other hand, Iranian intelligence agencies tried to target several individuals living in Canada last year who they consider to be their political opponents. According to Rogers, CSIS thwarted several potentially “lethal” operations in a timely manner.
Regarding India, Dean Rogers said that New Delhi is engaged in transnational repression, and is involved in acts of intimidation, surveillance and silencing of activists, journalists and members of religious and cultural groups. He said that such actions not only have a profound impact on the lives of the affected individuals but also affect entire communities by intimidating them and undermining their democratic rights.
The director also revealed that Canada is also facing serious threats from the growing trend of extremism, including racism, religious extremism, anti-Semitism, misogyny and ideologies based on chaos. He said that the age of those involved in extremist activities is decreasing at an alarming rate, and in 1 in 10 cases, at least one suspect is under the age of 18. Since 2014, the country has suffered 20 major attacks, killing 29 people, while two dozen planned attacks have been thwarted since 2022.
Rogers said that the current global environment is highly uncertain and rapidly changing, where states are adopting aggressive strategies for economic gains and global influence. He stressed that Canada’s partnerships must be based on the rule of law and respect for national sovereignty. According to him, strong defence, intelligence and diplomatic measures have become indispensable to counter interference by foreign states.
