Intrepid Bi Weekly Briefing: 28 Oct - 11 Nov, 2019
Canadian Extradited to California on Terrorism Charges
The US has extradited a Canadian to face terrorism-related charges for alleged crimes perpetrated within Canada.
In 2014, Abdullahi Ahmed Abdullahi allegedly robbed a jewelry store in Edmonton in order to provide funding for ISIS. Subsequently, Abdullahi was arrested in Alberta in 2017, partially due to his armed robbery charge from Canada and, also, because of an extradition warrant from the U.S. Within the U.S, Abdullahi faces the charges of “conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists” and “providing material support to terrorists”. Allegedly, Abdullahi was connected with ISIS between 2013 and 2014 where he actively assisted with the travel of three Canadians and two Americans to Syria to fight with ISIS. According to witnesses, Abdullahi suggested in draft emails that the purpose of the robbery was to assist ISIS with funding. The draft emails also suggest that Abdullahi had contemplated travelling and fighting with ISIS. In Canada, the Crown ‘stayed’ the robbery charges against Abdullahi citing that a conviction against Abdullahi would be unlikely- apparently US prosecutors are not similarly concerned. Abdullahi tried to fight the extradition; however, he was unsuccessful. Consequently, on October 24, Abdullahi was extradited to California.
MPs won’t give up on WeChat
In July 2019, iPolitics reported that the House of Commons cybersecurity team advised MPs to not use the social messaging platform, WeChat. Nevertheless, some MPs are refusing to delete WeChat as they believe the platform helps them better connect with constituents. Further details emerged when IPolitics gained new information from emails, accessed through Canada’s access to information laws. On November 1, iPolitics reported the Communications Security Establishment was asked to inform the Prime Minister’s Office about the cybersecurity risks involving WeChat. The information was forwarded to the Privy Council Office and all MPs. Aforeign-owned company, WeChat’s holds their data and user information outside of Canada. Moreover, as a Chinese-owned company based outside Canada, it is governed by Chinese laws and not subject to Canadian privacy regulations.
Former US Official’s Huawei Warning
On November 3rd, Susan Rice, a former U.S. national security advisor to Barack Obama, shared her concerns about Canada’s relationship with China when interviewed by Adrienne Arsenault on The National. Rice indicated that Canada should be very cautious about allowing Huawei to operate on Canada’s 5G networks. Rice is concerned that Canada’s business interactions with Huawei could limit Canada’s involvement within the 5-eyes intelligence sharing alliance. Rice’s comments mirror a significant shift in feelings towards China by Canadians. In a recent study completed by the University of British Columbia and University of Ottawa, researchers polled Canadian’s attitudes about Canada-China relations. In 2017, 36% of Canadians viewed China ‘favourably’. Now, in 2019, only 29% of Canadians view China ‘favourably’. More information about the study can be found here.
Federal Election Follow-Up
Leading up to the federal election there was significant discussion about the potential for foreign interference. Three studies were undertaken to assess this risk by the Digital Democracy Project from McGill University, the Ryerson Social Media Lab, and University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab. All three studies indicated that the threat may have been over-reported. Conclusively, researchers found that there was more coverage within the media about misinformation campaigns than actual credible attempts at interference.
The studies are available at the following links:
RCMP and Social Media
On November 5, CBC reported that the RCMP will be reviewing its process of collecting information from Canadians’ social media accounts to ensure their conduct is consistent with Canadian legislation. The public report is expected in Summer 2020. Essentially, the RCMP wants to make sure that its procedures are consistent with Canadian law. According to the RCMP, Mounties monitor Canadian’s social media accounts “reactively, after a crime has been committed, and proactively, to detect and prevent crimes.”
‘Spying or Safety First?
On November 3, CBC News reported that some Canadian federal government agencies are requiring employees to take training to help identify potential ‘insider threats’. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases about Canadian government employees or contractors inappropriately accessing and sharing information with individuals outside the government. Employees complain that this new initiative creates an awkward work environment, encourages colleagues to ‘spy’ on each other, and is often targeted at employees who have connections to China.
However, there are threats. In 2013, Qing Quentin Huang was charged under the Security of Information Act, as he allegedly tried to provide Canadian naval secrets to China. Huang’s case has been in the news recently, as the federal government continues to challenge the orders for the release of information related to Huang’s that the Attorney General argues, if disclosed, could risk Canadian national security. Cameron Ortis’ case presents the most recent example of this ‘threat’. In September 2019, Ortis, a senior civilian member of the RCMP was charged under the Criminal Code and the Security of Information Act for allegedly attempting to share information with a foreign entity. Originally released on bail in October, on November 8, Ortis’ bail was revoked.