CSIS director Richard Fadden becomes an election issue in Richmond
Normally, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service stays in the background.
And he never pops up as an issue in an election campaign. Until now.
The Liberal candidate in Richmond, Joe Peschisolido, has called on Conservative candidate Alice Wong to explain why she has not spoken out against CSIS director Richard Fadden's claims that China is influencing municipal politicians and that foreign governments are infiltrating college and university campuses.
Fadden's comments last year elicited a blizzard of criticism from groups representing Chinese Canadians.
"Michael Ignatieff, upon his return from China last year, made it quite clear that Fadden had to go, and that the silence from the Conservative party about these accusations amounted to tacit support of Fadden's claims," Peschisolido said in a Liberal news release issued today (March 28). "Almost one year later, nothing has been done about Fadden, and neither Alice Wong nor Vancouver South Conservative candidate Wai Young have said a word about this issue."
Comments
13 Comments
Jack Stone
Mar 28, 2011 at 4:40pm
Clearly the Liberal candidate is showing his true colours. Mr. Fadden has a job to protect the Canadian people and is doing it well. Like the rest of his Liberal cronies, Mr. Peschisolido is proving that he is not tough on crime (after all, treason is a crime!). If 'Jumpin' Joe' wants to talk about comments, why hasn't he addressed Michael Ignatieff's claims that our flag looks like a rag or a two bit kids drawing? Stand up for Canada instead of cowards like Joe and the Liberal party. Heck, even Elizabeth May is a more sincere politician.
Ken Lawson
Mar 28, 2011 at 5:12pm
Richard Fadden needs have his powers expanded and CSIS office must have a expanded presents on the west coast to keep a close eye on those from asia, including MPs, MLAs and City Councillors.
buzz
Mar 28, 2011 at 7:01pm
Gee, I don't know. Maybe they haven't spoken up against what the director said because they didn't want to speak against the truth. The fact that Ignatieff "made it quite clear that Fadden had to go" is irrelevant. I live in Richmond and I know plenty of Chinese who don't dispute what Fadden said. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that China rules by intimidation, at home and otherwise. But you would have to be pretty naive to think that China or any other country of note doesn't try to influence Canadian politics.
e.a.f.
Mar 28, 2011 at 7:58pm
old Iggy wants Fadden to go? Why, doesn't he believe Fadden or is iggy one of those who China influences?
It is no secret China is out to get what it wants and will do what it takes. Some politicians don't care, they want their ego's stroked and the Chinese will tell them what they want to hear.
Canada isn't the only place China is extending influence. Just have a look at African countries which are resource rich. China has moved in on their companies as they have Canadian companies.
Iggy can go, the Chinese government can stay out of Canadian politics and our natural resources. The Conservatives haven't done much to get the chinese government out of our resources and politics.
What does the NDP and the PQ have to say?
Scott Blackstone
Mar 28, 2011 at 8:36pm
This is interesting. What does Joe Peschisolido know? What intel does he have that the rest of us don't?
J_J
Mar 28, 2011 at 9:00pm
I'm Chinese-Canadian, and while I think Fadden's words were very insensitive and stupid to say in public, I do realize that there may be some fellow Chinese-Canadians who do have inappropriate ties to the Chinese government. Even though I am a Canadian, I'm proud of what China has accomplished, but certainly not always proud of what their government is doing.
blaffergassted
Mar 28, 2011 at 9:31pm
And what of the well-documented US money used to influence the politicians at Vancouver city council?
tim.
Mar 28, 2011 at 11:24pm
no one cares. let's talk about something we do care about, like the HST and healthcare.
Taxpayers R Us
Mar 29, 2011 at 12:48am
Richmond is practically owned by China. All Fadden did was state the obvious.
Is that such a big deal?
Anyone who is familiar with Communism knows those bastards are so power-hungry and controlling, they will pull out all the stops to win the slightest gain.
Frankly I think all politicians with communist backgrounds and backing should get a second look and vetting.
Agreed
Mar 29, 2011 at 10:05am
Elections Canada should also take a leading role in vetting candidates running for office. We need politicians working for Canadians. With this current campaign underway I can think of a few candidates that may need to be looked at.