Trudeau's government accepts leaks, days after Canadian newspaper names anonymous Washington Post sources

Last week, Canada daily The globe and the mail reported that Canada's national security and intelligence adviser Nathalie G. Drouin and deputy minister David Morrison shared classified information The Washington Post about alleged Indian interference in the country.

Now Justin Trudeau's government and the two officials are facing criticism for sharing these posts with an American newspaper before informing the Canadian public and before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police went public with claims that Indian government agents were involved Murders, extortion and other criminal activities would be linked to Canada.

On Tuesday, Drouin admitted passing classified information about India's alleged interference in the killing of Sikh extremist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar Washington Postit was done because “they thought it was necessary.” According to a Canadian newspaper, Drouin and Morisson made the statement during their appearance before the Foreign Interference Commission on Tuesday . The political opposition in Canada has criticized the duo for revealing information that would otherwise not have been made available to the Canadian public.

“We made the strategic decision to engage a reputable international news outlet that has previously published on this issue to ensure that the matter is accurate and our side of the story is heard widely,” Drouin said, adding that this was on Canada's international case was aimed at strengthening its allies.

The Globe and mailThe report came days after a Washington Post A report based on anonymous sources accused Home Minister Amit Shah of authorizing such operations. The Globe and mailThe report also said that “the intelligence should not be released until RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme holds a news conference on Thanksgiving Day.”

Why were the sources mentioned in the newspaper?

But why? The globe and the mail Name the two officials who were quoted anonymously in the Washington Post report.

Jon Allsop, the editor The media today Newsletter for Columbia Journalism Reviewanalyzed the questions surrounding the topic in his article.

“It's not common for one article to cite another's anonymous sources, especially not in a high-profile cover story. “As in any capital, there are many doubts; We read stories that make headlines, and when it's an unnamed source, there's a lot of speculation: “Who is that?” Steve Scherer, former bureau chief for Reuters in Ottawa, he told me – but he has never seen such speculation printed and told me he would never have been allowed to publish a similar story in an international news outlet. And the globe“The article was not well received by some journalists,” he wrote.

“On X, Matina Stevis-Gridneff, the head of the Canada office on New York Times“It’s really disturbing and strange to see a national Canadian newspaper.” Washington Post's sources.' that the Globe may have acted out of jealousy after being hit with a controversial story. There were indications that the newspaper had made a mountain out of a molehill – unnamed officials who ended up constantly briefing reporters – and that it would have published the Post's story if the newspaper had been informed about it.”

Allsop noted that others “argued that this is not about professional pride but about exposing the hypocrisy of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government when it comes to leaking sensitive information.”

“'The story speaks for itself and has nothing to do with personal jealousy,'” said Robert Fife, the book's author globe's article told me in an email. “I have great respect for it Washington Post. The point I wanted to make is that national security officials have provided information about China's foreign interference activities globe were branded criminals by the Prime Minister. He had no problem authorizing his national security adviser to provide similar information to the U.S. government Washington Post. If it benefits him, it's fine. If it embarrasses the government – and ultimately leads to a public inquiry – then the leaks are criminal.” (Requested comment globe's story, a post A spokesman told me the newspaper does not discuss its newsgathering practices.)”

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