Privy Council President Bill Blair said he did not see a memo about Chinese spies because it was sent to the wrong office. . CSIS Headquarters .Previously, Blair said that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had intentionally kept information from him, but this was contradicted during House Affairs committee testimony on Wednesday..“I am advised they sent it to another office with the intent that I would somehow get to see it,” Blair told reporters..“The briefing note was sent to another deputy head, to another office, not my office, and I was never advised that the report existed or where it could be located.”.According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Blair did not reveal the official who received the Chinese spies memo..“Do you know if the memo was read?” asked a reporter. .“I have no idea,” replied Blair..In May 2021, a memo was sent warning that Chinese agents “intended to target” two MPs, Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON) and Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, BC), who have family members in Hong Kong. .However, neither MP was informed of the warning..“The memo was not sent to my office at all,” said Blair. .“It was sent to a different office. And in all cases of foreign interference and national security, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service briefed me on those things. They did not brief me on that. They did not advise me that there was a memo. I didn’t get. I didn’t get an email. I didn’t get a message.”.During his testimony on June 1 at the House Affairs committee, Blair claimed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had not provided him with the information..“The director determined this was not information the minister needed to know, so I was never notified,” said Blair..On Tuesday night, CSIS Director David Vigneault testified that Blair's claim was incorrect..“The information was meant to be seen by the minister,” said Vigneault. .“That was the purpose.”.Blair blamed the contradictory stories on a simple misunderstanding. .“The information was never briefed to me by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service,” said Blair..“So David Vigneault is lying?” asked a reporter. .“No,” replied Blair. .“Vigneault testified he produced the memo with the intent that I see it and I accept his word on that. Unfortunately, his intent did not actually take effect.”.“Is it not your responsibility as a cabinet minister who is in a well-paid position to read memos you’re given?” asked a reporter. .“I was not given that memo,” replied Blair. .“I was not briefed on it.”.“Nobody in your office was given that memo?” asked a reporter. .“No, they were not,” replied Blair..“That memo was not sent to me,” said Blair. .“I did not receive it. The director, in all other cases, briefed me on national security intelligence issues and for whatever reason, did not brief me.”
