Intelligence officer charged with passing secrets to foreign interests

A Canadian Forces officer who served for a decade inside military intelligence has been charged with passing government secrets to foreign interests over the span of four and a half years – a case that threatens this country’s reputation among its closest allies.

The charge is the first ever laid under Canada’s rarely used Security of Information Act, passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

OTTAWA — A number of Russian embassy officials have been expelled from Canada in connection with an alleged espionage affair, it has been reported.

The expulsions apparently came after charges were laid against a Canadian military intelligence officer in Halifax, accused of passing protected government information to an un-named foreign entity.

Reports listed the names of two diplomats and two other staff members who were dropped from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ list of representatives officially recognized by Canada.