Topics


Jim Bronskill

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Jim Bronskill.

MPs, senators on intelligence committee scrutinize Canada's ability to spy overseas

MPs, senators on intelligence committee scrutinize Canada's ability to spy overseas

Parliamentarians are taking a hard look at Canada's overseas intelligence gathering capabilities as debate simmers over the need for a new foreign spy agency. The MPs and senators who make up the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians are examining the effectiveness of Canada's foreign intelligence collection. The secretariat of the highly secretive committee would not elaborate on the...

  • 2026-09-20
  • — Canadian Press
MPs, senators on intelligence committee scrutinize Canada's ability to spy overseas

MPs, senators on intelligence committee scrutinize Canada's ability to spy overseas

OTTAWA -- Parliamentarians are taking a hard look at Canada's overseas intelligence gathering capabilities as debate simmers over the need for a new foreign spy agency.

  • 2026-09-20
  • — Canadian Press
Secrecy and accountability 'can coexist': groups push for Tumbler Ridge gun details

Secrecy and accountability 'can coexist': groups push for Tumbler Ridge gun details

OTTAWA -- Five gun control advocacy groups are renewing pressure on the RCMP to disclose information about the firearms used in the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., saying public discussion of the details could help prevent another tragedy.

  • 2026-09-16
  • — Canadian Press
Action needed to ensure groups aren't unduly 'de-banked' over terror risks: report

Action needed to ensure groups aren't unduly 'de-banked' over terror risks: report

OTTAWA -- There's "a near-total absence" of effective recourse for non-profit organizations and individuals whose banking services are cut off due to alleged ties to terrorist financing, a new report says.

  • 2026-09-15
  • — Canadian Press
No need to set time limit for sentencing proceedings, Supreme Court of Canada rules

No need to set time limit for sentencing proceedings, Supreme Court of Canada rules

OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada says a man is entitled to a reduction in his sentence for sexual assault because the post-verdict sentencing phase of the case took too long.

  • 2026-09-11
  • — Canadian Press
'Consequences we live with': How 9/11 changed Canada's approach to national security

'Consequences we live with': How 9/11 changed Canada's approach to national security

Before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Steven Backman could usually cross the Canada-U.S. border with a simple wave. Backman, like many residents of St. Stephen, N.B., would travel frequently to neighbouring Calais, Maine. "When locals would go through the border, often the U.S. customs or the Canadian customs would just poke their head out, see it was a local person crossing...

  • 2026-09-10
  • — Canadian Press
'Consequences we live with': How 9/11 changed Canada's approach to national security

'Consequences we live with': How 9/11 changed Canada's approach to national security

OTTAWA -- Before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Steven Backman could usually cross the Canada-U.S. border with a simple wave.

  • 2026-09-10
  • — Canadian Press
Federal Court orders release of some secret material in Nazi war crimes study

Federal Court orders release of some secret material in Nazi war crimes study

OTTAWA -- The Federal Court has ordered the release of some long-concealed passages of a September 1986 study prepared for a landmark federal commission of inquiry on war crimes.

  • 2026-09-03
  • — Canadian Press
Canadian suspect in Belgian espionage case to remain in pretrial detention

Canadian suspect in Belgian espionage case to remain in pretrial detention

The Belgian federal prosecutor's office says a Canadian facing espionage charges will remain in custody. After a hearing today of the woman's appeal of a July decision to keep her in detention, Belgium's Chamber of Indictments decided to extend her pretrial custody by one month. The prosecutor's office announced on July 25 that "a Canadian national of Chinese origin" had...

  • 2026-08-31
  • — Canadian Press
Canadian suspect in Belgian espionage case to remain in pretrial detention

Canadian suspect in Belgian espionage case to remain in pretrial detention

OTTAWA -- The Belgian federal prosecutor's office says a Canadian facing espionage charges will remain in custody.

  • 2026-08-31
  • — Canadian Press
MPs to examine Canada's security screening process following NATO espionage arrest

MPs to examine Canada's security screening process following NATO espionage arrest

OTTAWA -- A parliamentary committee plans to hold hearings on Canada's security screening process following the arrest of a Canadian NATO intern on espionage allegations.

  • 2026-08-17
  • — Canadian Press
Anti-terrorism measures hindering Muslim charities' humanitarian efforts: study

Anti-terrorism measures hindering Muslim charities' humanitarian efforts: study

OTTAWA -- Strict measures to prevent terrorism financing are prompting Muslim charities in Canada to withdraw humanitarian assistance from countries in need, such as Syria and Yemen, because they fear losing access to banking services if they operate there, a new study warns.

  • 2026-08-16
  • — Canadian Press
Global Affairs tight-lipped on fate of Canadian men being held in Iraq

Global Affairs tight-lipped on fate of Canadian men being held in Iraq

OTTAWA -- Global Affairs Canada is refusing to say whether Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand discussed the repatriation of Canadian men imprisoned in Iraq when she spoke recently with her Iraqi counterpart.

  • 2026-08-12
  • — Canadian Press
Poilievre says Carney must explain 'failed' screening that led to NATO spy case

Poilievre says Carney must explain 'failed' screening that led to NATO spy case

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday that Prime Minister Mark Carney "has a lot of explaining to do" about how the government "failed" to screen a Canadian intern at NATO's Belgium headquarters who was arrested recently on espionage charges. "How is it that this individual was not captured in the vetting process originally, but that other countries and governments were...

  • 2026-08-06
  • — Canadian Press
Some Canadians tell Carney Ottawa's spelling protocol should lean British

Some Canadians tell Carney Ottawa's spelling protocol should lean British

It seems some Canadians feel quite at home with the federal government's preference for British spelling. Messages to Prime Minister Mark Carney on the matter indicate several correspondents see the affectation as a way of countering U.S. cultural dominance. A flurry of emails to Carney followed news last December that promoters of Canadian English objected to the federal government's use...

  • 2026-08-03
  • — Canadian Press
Some Canadians tell Carney Ottawa's spelling protocol should lean British

Some Canadians tell Carney Ottawa's spelling protocol should lean British

OTTAWA -- It seems some Canadians feel quite at home with the federal government's preference for British spelling.

  • 2026-08-03
  • — Canadian Press
Canadian suspect in Belgian espionage case appeals pre-trial detention decision

Canadian suspect in Belgian espionage case appeals pre-trial detention decision

OTTAWA -- The Belgian federal prosecutor's office says a Canadian facing espionage charges is appealing a decision to keep her in pretrial detention.

  • 2026-07-30
  • — Canadian Press
Judicial review of ethics ruling in Trudeau case can proceed, Supreme Court says

Judicial review of ethics ruling in Trudeau case can proceed, Supreme Court says

The Supreme Court of Canada says a watchdog group can pursue a court challenge of a federal ethics report on Justin Trudeau's involvement in decisions about WE Charity. In May 2021, then-federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion concluded that Trudeau, prime minister at the time, did not breach the Conflict of Interest Act when he participated in decisions concerning WE Charity...

  • 2026-07-30
  • — Canadian Press
Judicial review of ethics ruling in Trudeau case can proceed, Supreme Court says

Judicial review of ethics ruling in Trudeau case can proceed, Supreme Court says

OTTAWA -- A watchdog group can pursue a court challenge of a federal ethics report on Justin Trudeau's involvement in decisions about WE Charity, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled.

  • 2026-07-30
  • — Canadian Press
Canadian accused of espionage in Belgium to remain in detention: prosecutor's office

Canadian accused of espionage in Belgium to remain in detention: prosecutor's office

OTTAWA -- A Canadian facing espionage charges in Belgium will remain in custody for the time being.

  • 2026-07-28
  • — Canadian Press
Minister says espionage allegations against Canadian in Belgium are 'quite serious'

Minister says espionage allegations against Canadian in Belgium are 'quite serious'

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree committed Monday "to get to the bottom" of the arrest of a Canadian in Europe on spying charges. The Belgian federal prosecutor's office said Saturday that "a Canadian national of Chinese origin" had been arrested on charges of espionage and participation in a criminal organization. The suspect, who was not named in the office's statement...

  • 2026-07-27
  • — Canadian Press
Minister says espionage allegations against Canadian in Belgium are 'quite serious'

Minister says espionage allegations against Canadian in Belgium are 'quite serious'

OTTAWA -- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree committed Monday "to get to the bottom" of the arrest of a Canadian in Europe on spying charges.

  • 2026-07-27
  • — Canadian Press
Supreme Court to examine timeliness of tribunal's decisions on RCMP labour issues

Supreme Court to examine timeliness of tribunal's decisions on RCMP labour issues

OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada will look at whether a tribunal's decisions on RCMP labour issues should be issued within strict timelines.

  • 2026-07-23
  • — Canadian Press
Spy watchdog urges stronger measures to avoid Canadian complicity in torture abroad

Spy watchdog urges stronger measures to avoid Canadian complicity in torture abroad

OTTAWA -- A newly released spy watchdog report says some federal agencies should do more to ensure information-sharing with other countries does not lead to torture.

  • 2026-07-19
  • — Canadian Press
Officials scrambled behind the scenes as Trump took aim at bridge project: emails

Officials scrambled behind the scenes as Trump took aim at bridge project: emails

An American diplomat raised several questions about the Gordie Howe bridge in a phone call shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump's February comments on the cross-border project ignited a political frenzy, newly released records reveal. Hundreds of pages of emails, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, also provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how Canadian officials...

  • 2026-07-17
  • — Canadian Press
Officials scrambled behind the scenes as Trump took aim at bridge project: emails

Officials scrambled behind the scenes as Trump took aim at bridge project: emails

OTTAWA -- An American diplomat raised several questions about the Gordie Howe bridge in a phone call shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump's February comments on the cross-border project ignited a political frenzy, newly released records reveal.

  • 2026-07-17
  • — Canadian Press
Some Indigenous people wary of Order of Canada's "colonial symbolism": federal study

Some Indigenous people wary of Order of Canada's "colonial symbolism": federal study

OTTAWA -- Indigenous community members have encouraged federal officials to reflect on how the Order of Canada can overcome its "deep colonial symbolism and associations," says an internal government presentation on efforts to modernize the Canadian honours system.

  • 2026-06-29
  • — Canadian Press
Some Indigenous people wary of Order of Canada's "colonial symbolism": federal study

Some Indigenous people wary of Order of Canada's "colonial symbolism": federal study

Indigenous community members have encouraged federal officials to reflect on how the Order of Canada can overcome its "deep colonial symbolism and associations," says an internal government presentation on efforts to modernize the Canadian honours system. The April presentation, prepared for the Order of Canada Advisory Council, says recent feedback indicates that accepting the honour "could bring feelings of discomfort...

  • 2026-06-29
  • — Canadian Press
Police misconduct information must be disclosed in criminal case, Supreme Court says

Police misconduct information must be disclosed in criminal case, Supreme Court says

OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada says information about an Edmonton police detective's past misconduct must be disclosed in the criminal proceedings of a man he helped investigate.

  • 2026-06-26
  • — Canadian Press
Supreme Court nominee Joyal cites access to justice, outreach as key contributions

Supreme Court nominee Joyal cites access to justice, outreach as key contributions

Supreme Court of Canada nominee Glenn Joyal describes himself as a "candid and constructive spokesperson" for Manitoba's highest trial court and the judiciary. Prime Minister Mark Carney has tapped Joyal, chief justice of the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba since 2011, to fill the vacancy on the country's top court left by the retiring Sheilah Martin.

  • 2026-06-22
  • — Canadian Press
Supreme Court nominee Joyal cites access to justice, outreach as key contributions

Supreme Court nominee Joyal cites access to justice, outreach as key contributions

OTTAWA -- Supreme Court of Canada nominee Glenn Joyal describes himself as a "candid and constructive spokesperson" for Manitoba's highest trial court and the judiciary.

  • 2026-06-22
  • — Canadian Press
Bid to narrow transparency law 'a move in the wrong direction,' info watchdog says

Bid to narrow transparency law 'a move in the wrong direction,' info watchdog says

OTTAWA -- Information commissioner Caroline Maynard says a federal proposal to narrow the scope of the Access to Information Act is a move in the wrong direction that could exclude "entire swaths of government-held records" from public scrutiny.

  • 2026-06-20
  • — Canadian Press
Global effort targeted fake computer updates tied to Russian cybercriminals: RCMP

Global effort targeted fake computer updates tied to Russian cybercriminals: RCMP

OTTAWA -- The RCMP says it worked with international partners to deal a blow to cybercriminals who trick users into downloading malicious files disguised as legitimate computer updates.

  • 2026-06-19
  • — Canadian Press
Gun control advocacy groups urge PM to implement long-awaited protection measure

Gun control advocacy groups urge PM to implement long-awaited protection measure

A women's advocacy organization and several other groups that support gun control are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to fully implement a key facet of firearms legislation passed 30 months ago. The measure makes a person subject to a protection order -- a legal order often issued in intimate partner violence cases -- ineligible to hold a firearms licence while...

  • 2026-06-18
  • — Canadian Press
Gun control advocacy groups urge PM to implement long-awaited protection measure

Gun control advocacy groups urge PM to implement long-awaited protection measure

OTTAWA -- A women's advocacy organization and several other groups that support gun control are urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to fully implement a key facet of firearms legislation passed 30 months ago.

  • 2026-06-18
  • — Canadian Press
Canada's spy service received judge's OK to target malware-infected devices

Canada's spy service received judge's OK to target malware-infected devices

OTTAWA -- Canada's spy service obtained a judge's permission to disrupt cyberthreats from foreign adversaries who infected digital devices with malware.

  • 2026-06-17
  • — Canadian Press
Conservatives cry foul after government signals move to speed up 'lawful access' bill

Conservatives cry foul after government signals move to speed up 'lawful access' bill

The Conservatives are accusing the federal government of trying to ram through a bill to help police and spies after the Liberals warned they would take steps to speed up committee scrutiny of the legislation. The Liberals say the bill will ensure law enforcement agencies have the legal tools to prevent and investigate modern crime while respecting the Charter of...

  • 2026-06-16
  • — Canadian Press
Conservatives cry foul after government signals move to speed up 'lawful access' bill

Conservatives cry foul after government signals move to speed up 'lawful access' bill

OTTAWA -- The Conservatives are accusing the federal government of trying to ram through a bill to help police and spies after the Liberals warned they would take steps to speed up committee scrutiny of the legislation.

  • 2026-06-16
  • — Canadian Press
Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices

Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has announced a national food security strategy aimed at giving Canadians more access to locally produced fruit, vegetables and other fresh items at lower prices.

  • 2026-06-11
  • — Canadian Press
Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices

Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices

OTTAWA -- The Liberal government has announced a national food security strategy aimed at giving Canadians more access to locally produced fruit, vegetables and other fresh items at lower prices.

  • 2026-06-11
  • — Canadian Press
Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices

Carney announces national food security strategy meant to expand choice, lower prices

The Liberal government has announced a national food security strategy aimed at giving Canadians more access to locally produced fruit, vegetables and other fresh items at lower prices. The plan outlined Thursday is intended to change the way food is bought, sold, transported and distributed in Canada to better support farmers, small independent players and consumers. The government says the...

  • 2026-06-11
  • — Canadian Press
Most crime guns traced by RCMP came from within Canada, internal reports say

Most crime guns traced by RCMP came from within Canada, internal reports say

OTTAWA -- The vast majority of crime guns traced by the RCMP to identifiable sources in 2023 and 2024 came from within Canada and were not smuggled from abroad, say internal reports prepared by the national police force.

  • 2026-06-11
  • — Canadian Press
Ottawa extends amnesty for owners of banned firearms while Supreme Court case unfolds

Ottawa extends amnesty for owners of banned firearms while Supreme Court case unfolds

OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
Feds extend amnesty for owners of banned firearms while Supreme Court case unfolds

Feds extend amnesty for owners of banned firearms while Supreme Court case unfolds

OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
Feds extend gun amnesty while Supreme Court case plays out

Feds extend gun amnesty while Supreme Court case plays out

OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
CP NewsAlert: Feds extend gun amnesty while Supreme Court case plays out

CP NewsAlert: Feds extend gun amnesty while Supreme Court case plays out

OTTAWA -- The federal government is extending an amnesty for owners of banned firearms while a legal battle plays out at the Supreme Court of Canada.

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
Minister now open to trimming metadata retention period in 'lawful access' bill

Minister now open to trimming metadata retention period in 'lawful access' bill

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is now open to shortening the time electronic service providers would be required to keep digital metadata under a proposed bill intended to help police and spies. Just days ago, Anandasangaree flatly rejected the idea of changing a provision in the legislation that could require service providers to retain metadata -- digital traces...

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
Minister now open to trimming metadata retention period in 'lawful access' bill

Minister now open to trimming metadata retention period in 'lawful access' bill

OTTAWA -- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says he is now open to shortening the time electronic service providers would be required to keep digital metadata under a proposed bill intended to help police and spies.

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
Artificial intelligence 'promising and problematic' for courts, chief justice says

Artificial intelligence 'promising and problematic' for courts, chief justice says

Chief Justice Richard Wagner says artificial intelligence is proving to be both promising and problematic for Canadian courtrooms. At his annual news conference today, Wagner said distinguishing fact from fiction has become more difficult -- and more important -- in a time when information can be generated and shared rapidly. Society is grappling with the emergence of machine learning and...

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
Artificial intelligence 'promising and problematic' for courts, chief justice says

Artificial intelligence 'promising and problematic' for courts, chief justice says

OTTAWA -- Chief Justice Richard Wagner says artificial intelligence is proving to be both promising and problematic for Canadian courtrooms.

  • 2026-06-09
  • — Canadian Press
Mohamed Harkat, facing deportation, wins round in bid to stay in Canada

Mohamed Harkat, facing deportation, wins round in bid to stay in Canada

OTTAWA -- Algerian-born Mohamed Harkat has won a round in his long-running legal battle to remain in Canada.

  • 2026-06-04
  • — Canadian Press
Supreme Court of Canada deals blow to poker players who challenged tax ruling

Supreme Court of Canada deals blow to poker players who challenged tax ruling

OTTAWA -- The Supreme Court of Canada says it will not review a finding that poker earnings are taxable business income.

  • 2026-06-04
  • — Canadian Press
New federal AI strategy looks to close 'adoption gap,' build public trust

New federal AI strategy looks to close 'adoption gap,' build public trust

Ottawa's new national artificial intelligence strategy says Canada has a major AI adoption gap and looks to build trust through legislation that tackles concerns about surveillance pricing and chatbot safety. The strategy being announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney in Toronto today plans to increase use of AI through free training for all Canadians.

  • 2026-06-04
  • — Canadian Press
PM Carney to announce federal artificial intelligence strategy in Toronto today

PM Carney to announce federal artificial intelligence strategy in Toronto today

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce the federal government's strategy on artificial intelligence in Toronto today.

  • 2026-06-04
  • — Canadian Press
China using professional networking sites to gather information: security agencies

China using professional networking sites to gather information: security agencies

OTTAWA -- Canada's spy agency and close international partners warn that China's military intelligence services are using professional networking sites and online job platforms to target current and former government and military personnel.

  • 2026-06-03
  • — Canadian Press
Liberals say they won't split off controversial section of 'lawful access' bill

Liberals say they won't split off controversial section of 'lawful access' bill

OTTAWA -- Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is rejecting a Conservative call to split off the most controversial section of a bill to help police and spies into a separate piece of legislation.

  • 2026-06-03
  • — Canadian Press
MPs get an earful from opponents of 'lawful access' bill over privacy concerns

MPs get an earful from opponents of 'lawful access' bill over privacy concerns

OTTAWA -- A group that works to keep the internet surveillance-free says a federal bill intended to help police and intelligence services is "an enormous own goal" against Canada's economy and security.

  • 2026-06-02
  • — Canadian Press
MPs get an earful from anti-surveillance group over 'lawful access' bill

MPs get an earful from anti-surveillance group over 'lawful access' bill

OTTAWA -- A group that works to keep the internet surveillance-free says a federal bill intended to help police and intelligence services is "an enormous own goal" against Canada's economy and security.

  • 2026-06-02
  • — Canadian Press
Connected vehicle data 'can have intelligence value' to adversaries: federal document

Connected vehicle data 'can have intelligence value' to adversaries: federal document

Data from an advanced electric vehicle that falls into the wrong hands could be used to track people or carry out surveillance, an internal government document warns. The Public Safety Canada memo, prepared to address concerns about Chinese vehicles, urges Canadians to be mindful of the security and privacy risks of the digital devices they buy and use. Earlier this...

  • 2026-06-01
  • — Canadian Press
Connected vehicle data 'can have intelligence value' to adversaries: federal document

Connected vehicle data 'can have intelligence value' to adversaries: federal document

OTTAWA -- Data from an advanced electric vehicle that falls into the wrong hands could be used to track people or carry out surveillance, an internal government document warns.

  • 2026-06-01
  • — Canadian Press