Vancouver councillor George Chow says CSIS hasn’t responded to his concerns

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      Vision Vancouver councillor George Chow couldn’t quite remember the name Richard Fadden.

      All the second-term councillor could come up with in a recent phone interview with the Straight was “the guy” from “CSIS”.

      Chow was of course referring to the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, who said in a CBC interview last year that some elected municipal politicians in B.C. are under suspicion of being under the influence of foreign governments.

      The reason the CSIS matter came up was because Chow was being asked if he’s going to go for another term in this year’s November civic election.

      “Maybe I should seek a clearance from CSIS before I run,” Chow said, sounding still upset about the claim of foreign influence on local politicians.

      Chow was born in China. He came to Vancouver in 1965.

      The councillor recalled that he wrote Fadden seeking clarification. He said that Canada’s spy chief hasn’t replied.

      “His kind of accusation actually affects my election chances,” Chow said.

      Given Chow’s sense of humour, it’s not clear whether he was joking this time.

      The answer to the question of whether or not he will run for reelection: “I’m still thinking about it.”

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Taxpayers R Us

      Feb 25, 2011 at 5:47pm

      He's fine. CSIS is worried about the hardcore politicos under Chinese influence, IE the NDP...birds of a communist feather..

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      William McCreery

      Feb 26, 2011 at 4:38pm

      If Cllr. Chow is not running, why is he worried about his "election chances"? It seems to me he is using one of the old political tactics of distorting the truth to create fear, then go in and take political advantage.

      And, maybe Mr. Fadden was not as concerned about Chinese influence municipally, but American, as has been suggested that dubiously motivated tax haven corporate trusts propping up Vision Vancouver' opposition to tanker's plying the BC coast so Canada can finally achieve balanced trade partnerships with countries other than the US.

      If these American tax haven corporate trusts are so concerned about the environment, why are they not funding Washington State protests to stop the Cherry Point tanker traffic? Or, for that matter, the Alaska tankers. Anyone remember the Valdese or even longer ago, the little Cherry Point spills. Nothing close to these has happened in my recollection on Canadian waters (correct me if I'm wrong).

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