Michael Chan, MPP

Markham–Unionville

June 24, 2015

Dear Mr. MacKay,
A cloud was unfairly cast upon the entire Chinese-Canadian community five years ago
when the former Director of CSIS publicly stated that various Canadian politicians were
under the influence of foreign agents.
The comments were widely criticized at the time by many observers in the media, by
MPs from all federal parties, and by various community and political leaders from across
Canada.
The former head of CSIS immediately backtracked, stating that “CSIS has not deemed
the cases to be of sufficient concern to bring them to the attention of provincial
authorities,” (Globe & Mail, June 24, 2010).
The former Director echoed that statement repeatedly after he was summoned to
appear in front of the House of Commons Public Safety Committee: “the examples I
gave did not, and do not today, meet the criteria for us to consider them to represent
immediate threats to the security of Canada. That is why the Minister of Public Safety
was not informed about it…I would have informed my Minister and the Privy Council
Office had I had any real concerns and immediate concerns. But as I indicated earlier,
such concerns did not exist then – and in truth, don’t exist now.” (Richard Fadden,
Public Safety Committee, July 5, 2010)
Upon the request of former Premier Dalton McGuinty, the Ontario government asked
CSIS whether there was anything of concern, and the former Premier’s Office stated
that nothing substantial was ever provided. (Toronto Star, October 15th, 2010).
Now, five years after the comments unfairly smeared an entire community, those same
Canadians are once again being tarnished by your government – and by you in
particular.

 Further – and most troubling for me personally – is your comment that I am the subject
of an ongoing investigation by CSIS.
Media: Another question to something that is in the news today – that CSIS
is investigating a minister of the crown in Ontario, suggesting he was under
the influence of foreign governments because of the amount of time he spent
hanging around with the Chinese consul general. I just wonder in capacity as a
minister, as a federal minister, how much time is too much time to be spending
that would arouse the suspicion of CSIS? Is it appropriate for someone in your
position to have close relationships with these people?
Minister Peter MacKay: It depends on what is being discussed, as in all
cases. And because it is an ongoing investigation, I'm not going to refer to the
specifics of what you've just asked. Clearly there are people outside our country,
as inside our country, who would seek to exert influence. And I think it is fair to
say it is incumbent upon all public officials to be very diligent of how they
conduct themselves and to be wary of that fact; wary of who they're talking to,
wary of what, if anything, they would disclose in those discussions. We are trying
to keep not only Canadians and Canadian interests, and by that I
mean information safe from interests, let's say, that would not be consistent
with our country's best interests. (June 16, 2015)
Two days after making these comments, you denied having made them. As a direct
result of your comments, media from across Canada immediately reported that CSIS
was actively investigating me. You allowed this matter to linger for two days without
clarification, and that is completely unacceptable.
I am requesting a public apology to me personally for your baseless and incorrect
comments.
Sincerely,

Michael Chan