Former Aboriginal affairs minister Strahl quits CSIS watchdog amid controversy
Former Aboriginal affairs minister Chuck Strahl quit his post as chair of Canada’s spy agency watchdog after facing criticism for also lobbying for Enbridge and a First Nation energy company doing business with the Chinese.
APTN National News
Former Aboriginal affairs minister Chuck Strahl quit his post as chair of Canada’s spy agency watchdog after facing criticism for also lobbying for Enbridge and a First Nation energy company doing business with the Chinese.
In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper released publicly Friday, Strahl said he was stepping down as chair of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) to avoid being sucked into a political battle.
SIRC reviews the activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
“I retired from politics three years ago and do not wish to be in the centre of the political fray,” said Strahl, in the letter.
Strahl said the controversy around his lobbying could also damage the work of the review committee.
“Nor do I want to be a distraction from the important work SIRC does every day in ensuring the security of Canadians,” said Strahl. “It is therefore with regret that I have concluded it is best for all concerned that I step down as chair of SIRC.”
Strahl was cleared by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
Strahl is the second CSIS watchdog chair to step down amid controversy.
His predecessor Arthur Porter ended up in a Panamanian jail.
Harper appoints members of the spy agency review committee.
Strahl found himself in controversy after the Vancouver Observer reported the former federal cabinet minister had registered to lobby in British Columbia on behalf of Enbridge, the energy firm pushing the Northern Gateway pipeline.
CSIS has been actively monitoring opponents to Enbridge’s proposed pipeline.
APTN National News followed with a report that Strahl had also registered to lobby for Frog Lake Energy Resources Corp, a First Nations energy company that jointly extracts oil on its territory with a Chinese-controlled firm.
CSIS has investigated First Nations and Chinese business links.
Strahl lobbies through his company, Chuck Strahl Consulting.
The wife of Conservative MP Mark Strahl, who is Chuck Strahl’s son, has a nominal interest in Chuck Strahl Consulting, according to a registry maintained by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
He will get away with it, they always do. Look at ford. What a joke Canada is!!! It’s like we are inviting, crooks, drug addicts, ford knows he got away with murder. Also Canada slaps the hands of some one
who doe’s take a life. Do you people in that profession, not have to qualify, cause it sure seems like any one can do there job, considering what they get away with and how they behave!!! You think those men or women( the phoney home maker), would have some class?