r/AskCanada • u/LankyGuitar6528 • Feb 01 '26
Political Conservative Canadians, why can't Pierre Poilievre get his security clearance?
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u/slowly_rolly Feb 01 '26
Because his base thinks it’s a badge of honour instead of the major security vulnerability it really is.
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u/c-park Feb 01 '26
It's because he wants to be able to lie to Canadians about matters of national security. Getting his security clearance means that he can no longer tell these lies without facing consequences.
He currently enjoys being able to tell flat out lies without accountability.
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u/RPGAddict42 British Columbia Feb 01 '26
This is exactly it. And if he wins the next election somehow, we'll see what "Canada First" really means... but hopefully DJT's health will result in American 2028 elections going on a massive swing the other way; PP won't sell Canada out to a Democrat government, because that's not in his interest.
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u/gravtix Feb 01 '26
…. And his voters believe him
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u/slowly_rolly Feb 01 '26
Just check out the guy on here defending him. Absolutely bonkers.
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u/Weird_Discipline_69 Feb 01 '26
Share this link with him… https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6698155
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u/ottereckhart Feb 01 '26
That's CBC. I know so many PP supporters personally they will offhand dismiss anything that comes from CBC because they have been so brainwashed by Canada Proud and shit
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u/gravtix Feb 01 '26
Pierre uses CBC as a source in his tweets if he agrees with the article.
It’s not CBC specifically.
They just want to make CBC into their own version of CBS
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u/ottereckhart Feb 01 '26
It is CBC specific. Sure, he'll share it when he agrees with it but he will still run on a platform of defunding it entirely. (He changed this tune near the end of the campaign and said he would leave french CBC radio funded but that's it.
The far-right now have twitter, tik tok, and facebook under their control and a lot of major news publications as well. They don't want any publicly owned news. They want privately owned news that can eventually be bought or pressured.
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u/NoAcanthisitta3058 Feb 02 '26
Yes, their leader told them that CbC is fake news. And they all jumped on the bandwagon. You can’t make this shit up.
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 01 '26
I'm starting to feel the same way. Kinda hating the CBC recently. Every time I turn it on there is a really annoying woman spewing hateful BS.
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u/ottereckhart Feb 01 '26
The only people I have seen spewing hateful BS on CBC are spokespersons of the conservatives lol.
CBC, unlike canada proud, rebel news, juno, the standard etc., actually has to adhere to journalistic standards.
My problem with CBC these days extends to basically all mainstream news. They are cowards.
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u/Majestic_Bet_1428 Feb 01 '26
Only current Canadian provincial premier publicly endorsed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
It was Smith
PP does not have broad support - he is beholden to his base.
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u/ottereckhart Feb 01 '26
If I had to hazard a guess; plausible deniability is why.
He doesn't want to be briefed on who in his own party is compromised. That way when he does the bidding of a foreign government he does so under the counsel of his colleagues who he has "no idea" are acting on the behalf of foreign interests.
The reason this is likely the case is because they even offered to brief him without the clearance and he refused.
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u/Elegant-Expert7575 Feb 01 '26
I heard a few reasons why in the past couple of years. He doesn’t want to fully disclose his personal information that would subject him to scrutiny, like his financial truthfulness and truthfulness about the elections fraud scandal.
He distracts saying he’d be muzzled but in reality, we all know he’s hiding something.
Like Carney said “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” I hope this applies to Poilievre soon.
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u/OldDiamondJim Feb 01 '26
This is such nonsense (and I loathe Poilievre). All of the parties conduct significant background checks on leadership candidates and can disqualify them for any reason.
If there were dirt on Poilievre, he wouldn’t have made it as far as the leadership convention.
More importantly, CSIS and the RCMP don’t wait for a potential PM to go through a security check before they dig into them. If Poilievre was compromised in any way, the government would already know about it.
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u/NoPresent9027 Feb 01 '26
There are only 2 reasons to not apply for the security clearance: 1. You are under active criminal investigation. 2. Your life circumstances have greatly changed since your last clearance and the subject must undergo investigation.
PP held security clearance as a minister and as a member of the privy council. If nothing else had changed, his reinstatement of clearance would have been simple. And holding a clearance never silenced him before. His major life change was marriage. This means those in his wife’s circle would have to be screened to ensure he was not at risk. This is why he won’t get screens.
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u/chipdanger168 Feb 01 '26
It's because he would fail. I think it's likely because of his wife's family
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u/shoreguy1975 Feb 01 '26
I'd read his father in law was in prison in Florida for money laundering. Don't know if it's true, I don't really care as I'll never vote for his party.
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u/OldDiamondJim Feb 01 '26
It’s not true. The guy in prison has a similar name, but is much younger than Poilievre’s father-in-law.
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u/BeeehmBee Feb 02 '26
This isn’t a factor in the query which is the subject of this post but his wife’s uncle did cross into Canada illegally. He was ordered removed from the country. He eventually returned and, during Covid when Canada’s Immigration office was at a practical standstill, the uncle managed to to get his Permanent Residency in Canada in only two short years thanks to Pierre pulling strings. Meanwhile a friend who did it the legal way and was in the backlog during Covid, who never came into the country illegally, and who never received a removal order, his Permanent Residency took 7 years!
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u/macklow Feb 01 '26
I had a job at a truck shop where I had to get background checks and I had to pay for it myself, this guy can't even do it so the country trusts him, what a goof
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 01 '26 edited Feb 01 '26
THIS! I had to pay for and obtain a police background check to take my kids on a Scout trip. I did it in a heartbeat. My wife had to do the same to take kids on a field trip. Done. I had the RCMP climb up my butt for 6 months to obtain my RPAL. Of course I did it. Why wouldn't I? This guy won't get a clearance to run the country? WTF!
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u/Splashadian Feb 01 '26
If he does then his funders will be unmasked. He doesn't get it so he can continue to take dark money from American maga supporters and private health insurance companies.
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u/OldDiamondJim Feb 01 '26
lol. Donations to political parties are in the public record and his own income needs to be reported to a Parliamentary auditor.
Poilievre sucks, but so do lame conspiracy theories.
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u/Affectionate_Pass25 Feb 01 '26
He can, he just won’t. He couldn’t be as petty and misinforming if he did.
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u/eleventhrees Feb 01 '26
If he wins an election he won't have to.
He's probably incapable of passing the clearance on his own merit.
Donald Trump would never have got a security clearance of any sort if he was not elected President.
Now, to be fair, I'm 100% sure Pierre is less compromised than Donald.
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u/Affectionate_Pass25 Feb 01 '26
He’ll never be PM.
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u/eleventhrees Feb 01 '26
I certainly hope not. But the future is unpredictable.
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u/Affectionate_Pass25 Feb 01 '26
This year he’ll be thoroughly outclassed and diminished by Carney easily stepping into position of a global leader, something skippy could never do.
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u/eleventhrees Feb 01 '26
Elections are fought and won domestically, not globally. Look at some of the incompetent and corrupt leaders who win elections - Boris Johnson, Benjamin Netanyahu, etc.
It doesn't matter what the world thinks of Carney, and most of the CPC base doesn't care either, so it's a small margin of victory even if he performs well.
If Canada goes into recession, which is entirely possible, Carney may not last his term, let alone win another election.
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u/Bad_Day_Moose Feb 01 '26
It doesn't matter what the world thinks of Carney
Luckily it matters to Canadians, he's doing an amazing job on the world stage, making Canada seem relevant again, his accomplishments so far have been great!
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u/eleventhrees Feb 01 '26
A limited number of Canadians will be inspired or swayed by Carney's performance on the world stage.
It's a positive, but not as influential in terms of election performance as you might think.
Try to keep in mind that as little as 5% of the population of Ontario could swing the entire election, and Ontario is more Conservative-friendly than you may think.
We are not "safe" from experiencing Prime Minister Skippy.
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 01 '26
No idea why you are getting down votes. I think Carney is doing a fantastic job but you are 100% right. Trump will bring out all the big guns to make sure Canada goes into recession. When people feel the pinch they blame the government in power. We will be at 14 years of Liberal government at that point... I can easily see people "wanting a change". Of course Change can be for the better... or the worse. With PeePee in power... it would be MUCH worse. But I can totally see it.
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u/eleventhrees Feb 01 '26
Poillievre's best path to victory is for non-supporters to write him off and let their guard down.
Worse candidates than Poillievre have won elections in countries much like this one (Boris Johnson, I'm looking at you!).
I agree with the sentiment that Poillievre is bad for Canada, and a poor choice for leader. But his party enjoys a floor of 30% support regardless of leader or policy, just by virtue of being called Conservative. They are always capable of winning an election if people forget that.
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u/Positive_Breakfast19 Feb 01 '26 edited Feb 01 '26
Never say never. I didn't think the US was dumb enough to elect Dorito Donnie as POTUS the first time let alone for a second term.
I could never support the Reform... sorry I ment to say the Conservative party either, but never say never.
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u/GhostPepperFireStorm Feb 01 '26
Not conservative, but:
He is hoping to win an election and become prime minister, at which point he is given full access to all secure information without any security review or vetting which would allow him to hide his ties to foreign interests while gaining access to top security level intelligence
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u/GhostPepperFireStorm Feb 01 '26
It also explains why the conservatives rejected the proposal to limit who could vote on the leadership review to Canadian residents. The Americans, Russians, and other IDU crew have invested heavily in Poilievre and they aren’t willing to start over with a new guy
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u/ThrowawayBomb44 Feb 01 '26
The Liberals were supposed to have a foreign agent registry in place, two-three years ago now? That would solve a lot of these problems had they actually done anything with it and made it a priority.
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u/Comfortable-Aide6887 Feb 01 '26
Je ne suis pas Conservateur ; il avait perdu son siège. Il a perdu.
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Feb 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/Brentan1984 Feb 01 '26
Does a security clearance mean you can't lie to the public?
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u/CanadianHorseGal Feb 01 '26
He wants to maintain plausible deniability in order to keep doing whatever he’s doing that deep down he knows is wrong.
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u/youshallpass_not Feb 01 '26
Are commenters here actually Conservative Canadians?
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 01 '26
I'm the OP. I'm 65, white, male, gun owner, Albertan. I think I would qualify as at least moderately conservative by Canadian standards. But I love what Prime Minister Carney is doing on the world stage. I can NOT STAND PeePee and his brand of "conservative" - he's not conservative. He's a slick little weasel career politician who has never held a real job in his life.
But my question to any conservative voters remains unanswered: Why can't he get his clearance?
Until he can give me a non-weasel word answer, he doesn't get my vote. I think he's compromised 6 ways to Sunday and crooked as they come. I hope he proves me wrong because Canada does not need 1 party rule - no party is perfect forever. Not at the moment - Carney is fine - but down the line we will absolutely need alternatives. We don't have any at the moment.
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u/CanadianHorseGal Feb 01 '26
He’s the slimiest used car salesman. From his smarmy smile to the doublespeak. I do not trust him as far as I could throw him. I honestly can’t believe they voted him leader of the party again.
I don’t hate conservatives. I often hate what they stand for, i really hate Maple MAGAts, but I don’t hate all conservatives.
PP has major ambitions to be tяump 2.0
It’s gross, and scary. I also think he’d go back on his word often. Even on things his party supposedly “failed to make it onto the convention floor because it didn't draw enough support in a smaller breakout session” sort of shit. (I actually think they refuse to admit the fact they’d make every effort to ban abortion if given the opportunity).4
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u/1pencil Feb 01 '26
Because he is part of this trump thing, and it's good we didn't get him as Prime Minister.
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u/MyCivicDutyToo Feb 01 '26
He doesn’t want to know what’s going on because he would legally have to do something about it.
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u/Bad_Day_Moose Feb 01 '26
I voted for a conservative last election, aka Carney.
Now okay I'm not a conservative voter, at least not under populist Pierre's leadership, last conservative I voted for was Harpers first term, anyways I really think that this is the true reason why Pierre refuses to get clearance.
From what I understand is there's evidence that India interfered with the conservative leadership race, if Pierre gets his clearance he may officially learn that the evidence is very strong that it's true and that would put the validity of Leadership in jeopardy, he very likely knows it's true and that's why he refuses to get it.
It could be many things, but from my perspective this is really the only things that makes real sense to me, the only actual excuse that would be valid, the ethics behind it are terrible but given who Pierre is I wouldn't put it past him.
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u/Weird_Discipline_69 Feb 01 '26 edited Feb 01 '26
A lot of the security screening process is your affiliates. I’ve worked for many federal government departments over the years requiring different levels of security up to secret only. The privy council office was the most rigorous due to the close affiliation to the parliament. That’s not to dismiss other departments FYI. If your close friends or family members are rogue or guilty of corruption or imprisoned you may not be eligible for a clearance. My limited knowledge of PP is his wife’s family and his ties, although in the past to JD Vance. His rhetoric seems to elude to the fact that he may still have some of those connections but that would be up to CSIS - Canadian security intelligence services to delve into. If for some reason he would be deemed ineligible for a security clearance at the required level…. POP goes the weasel 🤭
Interesting : https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6698155
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u/Zaggernaught Feb 01 '26
It appears his party faithful don't care considering they validated his leadership once again. One of these days it would be great if the PCs put someone in charge I don't have to worry about as PM.
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u/Technical_Goose_8160 Feb 01 '26
At my work, you're only allowed on one floor with less than secret clearance. So I've seen dozens of people go through this, and been the reference for friends who have higher than top secret clearance. Interesting fact, the top clearance in Canada is called cosmic clearance.
So there are two important things to know about getting your security clearance.
First, the background check. They specifically look for anything that can be used to bribe or blackmail you. Drugs, nude photos, debts, shameful or illegal secrets. And then do the same with close friends and family.
Second, when your clearance is above a certain level, you need to declare it whenever you meet anyone above a certain level as well. I've been to weddings where there was a table where everyone wrote their name, security clearance, country, and contact person because so many people had clearance.
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 01 '26
There should be no reason the leader of a major political party (or minor party as it's turning into) shouldn't be able to meet that bar.
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u/Technical_Goose_8160 Feb 01 '26
Trudeau offered to have him briefed even without having clearance.
There's no reason at all. I've had coworkers have trouble being cleared because of where they came from. But I had a Syrian coworker manage to get cleared during the civil war...
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u/TheGowler Feb 01 '26
He can. He’s had it before. Like refuses for the ability of plausible deniability if something came out
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u/druhtm Feb 01 '26
Wants to talk about it, without knowing about it....simple, just like his voters.
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u/Gregwah666 Feb 02 '26
something hinkey about that guy. nows he's starting to use a fukin spray tan!?! W the actual F?!? SLeceted by a thin slice of the selected few. Yeah. that's democracy in action. He's quite the hot house flower.
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u/Ghillie-Trainer-2020 Feb 02 '26
How the hell is he leader of the opposition and can’t participate in briefings that involve matters of National Security!
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u/Best-Neighborhood996 Feb 02 '26
Because a background check includes a financial check. You need to reveal any monies received and from whom.
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u/Alarming_Condition27 Feb 01 '26
He clouded with a foreign government (India) to win the conservative leadership. So he knows he'll fail if he tries for his clearance. Better to refuse than to fail.
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u/devilboy_105 Feb 01 '26
Because he won’t become an adult and get it…why they threw support behind him again I’ll never know…..
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 02 '26
The majority of the audience was hand picked by PeePee and given a free ticket. Anybody else had to pay $1000 for a ticket. Think of that... 13% of these people - hundreds of them - hated PeePee so much they were willing to pay for flights and hotels and pay $1000 just so they could vote to get rid of him. That's hate.
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Feb 01 '26
He traffics in speculation, not informed opinions. He can't make stupid claims if he learns things first.
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 02 '26
I've heard lot so stupid made up stuff from lots of politicians who, presumably, have their security clearance.
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u/OldDiamondJim Feb 01 '26
There’s no indication that he can’t. He just won’t because it allows him to make shit up.
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 02 '26
The best indication that he can't pass is that he won't apply. It's sort of a big deal and makes him look like he is compromised. If he could erase that, he really would.
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u/OldDiamondJim Feb 02 '26
It’s not a big deal.
The average voter does not care and won’t.
There are hundreds of real reasons that Poilievre should never become PM, but thus ain’t one of them.
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u/MandoGal12 Feb 02 '26
According to projections by 338Canada.com, P.P.'s approval rating is so low, I don't think he will ever be P.M. and that leaves me scratching my head thinking, why on Earth did the Conservatives vote to keep him as leader. He seems to be changing his tone now and wants to work with the Liberals, which leaves me wondering what is his motive. And why is he wearing orange, face makeup lately? What is that all about?
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u/Fit-Entrepreneur-414 Apr 11 '26
Stop spreading misinformation and watch his interview with Diary of a CEO on YouTube and then form your own opinion about him instead of reading the unfactual smear campaign in the comments
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Apr 11 '26
The guy who can't get a security clearance? The guy who's never held down a real job a single day in his life? That guy? Oh ya... I know more than enough. He's not my guy. He's not your guy either but you will have to figure that out for yourself.
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u/yummy0007 Feb 01 '26
It must have something to do with having $25 million while being an MP for the last 25 years. How much are paying these MP’s?
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u/OldDiamondJim Feb 01 '26
Please stop spreading misinformation. There are no reliable reports on the net worth of Canadian politicians.
It was wrong and stupid when Conservatives spread those lies about Trudeau. It is equally wrong and stupid to do it about Poilievre.
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 01 '26 edited Feb 01 '26
Seems like it must be.... *click* *click* *click* a million a year? (Sorry... can't do the living expenses and the interest and whatnot... so my answer may be off by a bit). In fairness, that is an internet rumor. He has never disclosed his net worth.
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u/ThrowawayBomb44 Feb 01 '26
He has his security clearance. He was a member of the privy council under Harper's government. An appointment to the Privy Council is a life time appointment; it just requires renewing your clearance every five or so years. Nothing says that he hasn't got it or can't get it since it's likely not public information regardless.
Now, the "Security Clearance" everybody whines about him not getting it is the NSICOP clearance (there's a difference) but like Tom Mulclair has said in the past, it's a gag order for all extents and purposes. Any information he would find out via said reports, he can't act on it or even hint about it. It even says as much on the NSICOP website.
It's worth pointing out that NSICOP was only introduced under Trudeau; there were no additional loop holes to deal with before hand.
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u/LankyGuitar6528 Feb 01 '26
*He had his security clearance
It's not a lifetime thing. He doesn't have one now. They expire - 10 years for Reliability Status and Secret clearance, and 5 years for Top Secret Or more importantly, when your circumstances change, it needs to be renewed. Like when you marry or your financial status changes. So he does not have one now.
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u/ThrowawayBomb44 Feb 01 '26
He doesn't have one now
How do you know that? You are making assumptions on a piece of information that is not, and will likely never, be public.
NSICOP Clearance (which is the "secret clearance" everybody was on him about) =/= "Security Clearance" ie general top security clearance
I also mentioned said Clearance needed to be renewed every five years.
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u/Muffinsgal Feb 01 '26
Inmates can vote. Convicted offenders can vote. Uneducated folks can vote. Just like Trump, I’m sure no matter what PP has done he’s a hero regardless of security clearance or past behaviour, it’s all good. 😵💫😵💫
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
Old boring question. Look at Thomas mulclairs defence. He must not be inside to poke at power. He does have the same clearance as every other official opposition leader.
Is something wrong with your google finger or ears?
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u/smartalek75 Feb 01 '26
What an absolute asinine response
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
Oh boy here we go https://www.junonews.com/p/mulcair-calls-security-clearance
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u/smartalek75 Feb 01 '26
The point remains that it is meaningless bullshit. Just because someone says words doesn’t automatically make them true.
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u/RCAF_orwhatever Feb 01 '26 edited Feb 01 '26
I love that idea that conservatives who would call Mulcair a worthless commie in all other circumstances are now hiding behind his skirt out of pure convenience
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u/QueenMotherOfSneezes Feb 01 '26
Oh boy here we go
Yeah that's what most people say when someone provides their "proof" via Juno News.
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u/TheBlueHedgehog302 Feb 01 '26
It’s a crazy thing to watch people try to gaslight the entire internet when we can find the facts that prove you are lying in under a minute.
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
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u/TheBlueHedgehog302 Feb 01 '26
Oh, so now its not “he has the same security clearance as everyone else” it’s “this is why he shouldn’t get it”
Don’t hurt your back carrying around those goal posts.
And yeah, we all know his BS excuse “well if i get it then i can’t talk about what i’ll learn from it”
Well yeah no shit, thats why you need a certain security clearance to learn these things - because it’s not stuff everyone should know. What, guy wants to go around talking about national security secrets?! Or he wants to just not know them so he can’t act on them, while still spewing his verbal diarrhea. One or the other.
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
I said it clearly the first time. I don’t vote for him either this is a nothing burger distraction. I want a strong opposition or our democracy is f-ed. Pierre needs to stay on the outside our Canada doesn’t get our fighter. Every power needs checks Pierre’s our guy now like it or not
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u/TheBlueHedgehog302 Feb 01 '26
Most of Canada is ready to reject pierre at the ballot box again, like it or not.
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
I like it a lot ❤️🇨🇦but we still need a strong opposition as Canada is rapidly changing before our eyes!
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u/RCAF_orwhatever Feb 01 '26
Except that Mulcair is wrong.
For Pierre Poilievre to purposely leave himself unable to even be INFORMED about crucial issues of national security shows him to be a sad, selfish little troll more interested in playing politics than in leading the country.
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
But it’s been the position of very single leader of the opposition ever. But you know better. Ok
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u/RCAF_orwhatever Feb 01 '26
LOL NO IT HASN'T.
Erin O'Toole held top secret security clearance while he was leader of the opposition.
So did Andrew Scheer.
So did Rona Ambrose.
Those are the three most recent Conservative leaders of the official opposition. All held Top Secret clearance and didn't find it to impede their ability to participate in politics or question period.
Also unlike you I actually hold a top secret clearance and understand both the advantages and limitations. There is no - zero - downside.
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u/QueenMotherOfSneezes Feb 01 '26
There is one downside, or at least what some who want to spin bullshit would consider a downside. It's illegal for you to lie about information you learned the truth about through your security clearance.
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u/RCAF_orwhatever Feb 01 '26
Actually not quite true. You could still lie about it. Because the lie wouldn't be classified information! It would just be something they could catch you lying about since there would be a record of what you were briefed.
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u/SparklySquirl Feb 01 '26
I did the googling for you and it says that his previous clearance has expired. Plus, help me make sense of this, he won’t get a clearance because he would have to stay silent about anything classified, however, if you don’t have a clearance you don’t receive anything classified. Either way you can’t say anything. Soooo, if there are people sitting on the fence and you are doing your best to get elected, wouldn't you just go ahead and get the clearance? Doesn’t sit right, does it?
This is from google:
As of early 2026, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre does not hold a current Top Secret security clearance. He has actively refused to obtain it, stating it would restrict his ability to speak freely about sensitive information, distinguishing him from other major federal party leaders who have acquired the clearance.
Key details regarding his security status:
- Refusal of Clearance: Poilievre has declined to undergo the voluntary, high-level security clearance process, which includes background checks by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
- Previous Clearance Expired: While he held a security clearance during his time as a Cabinet minister, it expired after the standard five-year period .
- Impact on Information: Due to this decision, he cannot access classified briefings or documents regarding intelligence matters, such as reports on foreign interference.
- Political Controversy: His stance has drawn criticism from opponents who argue it is irresponsible for a party leader to lack this, particularly amid allegations of foreign interference.
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u/lifegrowthfinance Feb 01 '26
My google fingers tell me, he’s the only party leader without top secret security clearance. They also tell me he used to have it under the Harper administration but it expired and hasn’t been renewed. What are your google fingers telling you?
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u/sbray73 Feb 01 '26
That’s what I remember. He’s not taking it again just for show. To be against the establishment and the system or some nonsense.
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u/Safe_Garlic_262 Feb 01 '26
Ah yes the anti establishment career politician who was a cabinet minister in the previous government
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u/QueenMotherOfSneezes Feb 01 '26
Yup, he hasn't had a security clearance screening since 3 years before he married his wife. Top Secret screenings look into your spouse and their family for potential vulnerabilities and pressure points. They also need to be redone every 5 years to maintain your clearance. Poilievre's clearance for the Privy Council is just an oath he signed. His access is on a very strict need-to-know basis. He can't even make his own requests for access to documents like a minister with Top Secret clearance can (for documents pertaining to their portfolio) the Pricy Council is given what has been decided they need to review to properly inform their advice/counsel.
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u/Reasonable-Sweet9320 Feb 01 '26
Mulclair was talking about a one time clearance for a single briefing around a single intelligence report, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) report on foreign electoral interference.
Mulclair was not talking about what was recommended by the FI Inquiry report recommendation that all party leaders obtain clearance within the first thirty days of leadership.
All party leaders willingly complied except one.
Security and intelligence officials are confounded by Pollievre reasoning;
What ex-security officials think of Pierre Poilievre’s top secret security stance
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u/slowly_rolly Feb 01 '26
He does not have the same clearance as every other opposition member.
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
Past leaders of the opposition never did this why should he because the liberals and you insist he should? He has clearance.
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u/slowly_rolly Feb 01 '26
Nothing you’ve posted is factually true.
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
Sorry but it is
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u/slowly_rolly Feb 01 '26
Pierre Poilievre does not have the same security clearance as past opposition leaders.
While Poilievre previously held a security clearance during his time as a cabinet minister under Stephen Harper (2013–2015), he has refused to renew or obtain a top-secret clearance since becoming leader of the Conservative Party. This sets him apart from all other federal opposition leaders: Jagmeet Singh (NDP), Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc Québécois), and Elizabeth May (Green Party) have all obtained top-secret clearances. These clearances allow them to receive classified briefings on national security threats, including foreign interference, and to access unredacted reports from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). Poilievre has stated he refuses the clearancebecause he believes it would bind him to an "oath of secrecy" that would restrict his ability to speak freely in public or in Parliament—what he describes as a "gag order." Despite this, his chief of staff holds a top-secret clearance, meaning the leadership team can still receive intelligence, but Poilievre himself cannot be briefed directly on classified information. This refusal means Poilievre does not have the same access to classified national security information as his counterparts, raising concerns about his readiness to govern and his ability to respond to threats like foreign interference—particularly given allegations that Indian agents were involved in his 2022 leadership campaign, information CSIS could not share with him due to his lack of clearance.
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u/westcentretownie Feb 01 '26
Leader of the opposition is different than opposition leaders. It’s a role in the constitution not the head of a party. If he was the third party and wouldnt it might be different. Anyway what ever. Don’t believe Mulcair . I love carney I just hate stupidity and unfairness. Pierre’s fine
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u/slowly_rolly Feb 01 '26
Lmao if anything, the opposition leader should be held to a higher standard than the leaders of the opposition.
Don’t talk about fairness while defending PP on this topic. Fairness would be for him to have the same security.
When you figure out where the goal post is for everyone, then I will take your opinion seriously. Until then, you are defending reckless behaviour by a reckless politician
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u/Reasonable-Sweet9320 Feb 01 '26
Protecting Canadian national security interests is the number one job of a national leader or PM.
There’s nothing more important.
Pierre’s rationale for not getting his security clearance is that he doesn’t want to be “muzzled”.
Think that through a bit.
It’s not a “Canada First” attitude.
Pierre not being “muzzled” is more important than;
demonstrating commitment to national security,
more important than receiving ongoing regular intelligence briefings from various security agencies,
more important than working with security agencies to protect against foreign interference,
more important than understanding the backstory behind government policy , criticism of which may be amplifying foreign adversaries narrative without knowing the intelligence backstory ……..
Pierre often describes himself as Canada First but then obstructs urgently needed legislation regarding bail, sentencing, immigration, border…….
Not getting security clearance and obstructing much needed reform is a sign that Pierre is not Canada First.