Canada CSEC Chief Defends Spy Agency Practices

Local Editor

The head of Canada's electronic eavesdropping agency, alleged to have conducted economic espionage against Brazil, has defended the agency's practices, saying its work is legal and does not target Canadians.

At a technology conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, John Forster, head of the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) said "Everything that CSEC does in terms of foreign intelligence follows Canadian law."
Forster also pointed out that Canadian citizens are not the focus of its surveillance activities.

"I can tell you that we do not target Canadians at home or abroad in our foreign intelligence activities, nor do we target anyone in Canada. In fact, it's prohibited by law. Protecting the privacy of Canadians is our most important principle," he stated.

The CSEC chief, however, declined to comment as to whether the agency had spied in Brazil.

Documents obtained by the Guardian through the freedom of information act show CSEC shared surveillance and intelligence with energy firms, federal ministries and spy and police agencies during secret meetings.
The Guardian reported the most recent meeting, in May 2013, discussed "security of energy resources development" and was partially sponsored by Enbridge.
CSEC has been the focus of much attention since Sunday evening, when Brazilian media reported the intelligence agency monitored communications from Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).
Canada's opposition NDP leader Thomas Mulcair said on Wednesday that the allegations CSEC spied on MME for an industrial advantage are "totally unacceptable."

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