Even with new powers, CSIS says there are limits on its ability to name names [Video]

Canada’s spy agency says that while it can brief more Canadians than ever before on sensitive information, it still can’t share personal information — or name names — if the person receiving the briefing doesn’t have the proper clearance.

That clarification from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) comes in the middle of a tense debate in Canadian politics over why Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has refused to get the top-level security clearance he would need to view classified documents on foreign interference.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the public inquiry investigating foreign election meddling that he’s seen classified intelligence indicating Conservative parliamentarians are involved in or vulnerable to foreign interference.

“I have the names of a number of parliamentarians, former parliamentarians and/or candidates in the Conservative Party of Canada who are engaged, or at high risk of, or for whom there is clear intelligence around foreign interference,” …