The Liberal government will create a “super” civilian watchdog to review security and intelligence agencies. This body will lay across the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) as well as every other department and agency that has a security or intelligence function. A reported element of the act, if passed, will let the CSE launch cyberattacks against foreign targets, including terrorist groups and even other countries. The new powers follow recent warnings that cyberattacks are likely during the next federal election in 2019, and new military marching orders to start working on offensive cyber-capabilities. There does not appear to anything reported about home-grown terrorism, the kind which has been seen in Canada and is a major threat to people in Europe. The Public Safety Minister, Mr. Goodale, spoke warmly of how freedom would be protected and the correct balance would now be found between strengthening security and safeguarding charter and privacy rights.
