Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is the only federal party leader declining access to a classified report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) concerning foreign interference. The report indicates that some parliamentarians may be “semi-witting or witting” participants in such efforts.
Despite the government’s assurances that leaders can act on the classified information without being muzzled, Poilievre has resisted obtaining the necessary security clearance. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, who initially also refused, is now in the process of gaining clearance.
The NSICOP report highlights instances of alleged interference by China and India in Conservative leadership races, which took place in 2020 and 2022. Conservative MP Michael Chong defended Poilievre’s stance, arguing that accessing classified information would prevent him from taking necessary actions.
Conservative strategists and academics have urged Poilievre to receive the briefing to better manage his party, emphasizing the importance of informed leadership. The Conservatives prefer that the foreign interference inquiry publicly release findings on each case involving current or past parliamentarians.