Inquiry Probes 54-Day Delay in CSIS Warrant Approval

Testimonies reveal confusion and lack of clarity over the extended delay in authorizing surveillance on Liberal power broker Michael Chan.

Former Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino emphasized the importance of swiftly reviewing CSIS warrants, contrasting with the prolonged delay under his predecessor Bill Blair.
Zita Astravas, Blair's former chief of staff, struggled to provide clear answers about why the warrant application sat for 54 days before being signed.
The delay involved a warrant to surveil Michael Chan, a key figure in the Chinese-Canadian community and former Ontario cabinet minister.
Astravas testified that she did not inform the Prime Minister's Office about the warrant and maintained that she followed security protocols.
The inquiry highlighted concerns about potential foreign interference and the need for vigilance in handling sensitive national security matters.