Liberal House leader accuses Poilievre of 'hiding something' by refusing security clearance

The Liberals' House leader has accused Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of "hiding something from Canadians" by refusing to obtain the national security clearance required to review classified documents, including the identities of Conservative parliamentarians allegedly linked to foreign interference.

In a social media post on Thursday, government House leader Karina Gould claimed, "The Conservative Leader is hiding something from Canadians." In an accompanying video, she questioned Poilievre's motives, asking, "Does he think he might not pass a security clearance, or does he know something and is trying to hide it? Or is there something he's trying to protect?"

This accusation intensifies the ongoing political debate about Poilievre’s refusal to pursue the clearance. Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified at the inquiry into foreign interference, revealing he had seen intelligence suggesting some Conservative parliamentarians were involved in or vulnerable to foreign interference. Trudeau criticized Poilievre’s stance, calling it "irresponsible" for not going through the clearance process to receive briefings on these allegations.

In response, Poilievre accused Trudeau of lying and performing for political gain. He argued that obtaining the clearance would bind him to secrecy laws, preventing him from discussing or challenging the government publicly.

Conservatives Defend Poilievre's Position

Conservative spokesperson Sebastian Skamski told CBC News that Poilievre isn’t opposed to the security check itself, noting he had previously undergone it as a cabinet minister. "Submitting private personal information to a security clearance check is not a concern for Mr. Poilievre, nor has he ever expressed that as a concern," Skamski said. He reiterated that Poilievre’s objection is to being "silenced by the Trudeau Liberal government."

Gould also referenced recent remarks from Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong, who told The Globe and Mail that the party is wary of how personal information gathered during the clearance process—such as details about family members, finances, or past behavior—could be used politically. "I don't trust this prime minister," Chong said, calling it "a sign of a desperate prime minister" willing to take extreme measures to retain power. However, Chong clarified that his comments were hypothetical and "not reflective of any position that Mr. Poilievre or others in the Conservative Party have taken."

Conservatives Push for Transparency

The Conservatives are urging Trudeau to release the names of all parliamentarians allegedly involved in foreign interference directly in the House of Commons. Skamski also highlighted that under the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Act, the agency can take “reasonable and proportional” actions to counter threats, which could include classified briefings.

"The government can brief the leader of the Opposition on relevant national security issues, but they have chosen not to, preferring an option that muzzles and silences," Skamski said.

A CSIS spokesperson explained that before implementing a threat reduction measure, the agency evaluates alternative methods and considers privacy impacts. While CSIS is expanding its ability to brief officials on sensitive matters, it cannot disclose personal information or reveal names without proper clearance.

Bloc, NDP, and Green Leaders Secure Clearance

Poilievre remains the only leader in the House of Commons without a security clearance. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet’s party confirmed Thursday that he has obtained the necessary clearance to review classified documents. Blanchet initiated the process in June, soon after the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) released a heavily redacted report suggesting some parliamentarians had cooperated with foreign states. His clearance now allows him to view the full report and attend future briefings.

"I just want to ensure that before the election, no member of my caucus is in any way involved with a foreign power," Blanchet said in June.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called Poilievre’s refusal to seek clearance "disturbing." "It is ludicrous to me that someone aspiring to be prime minister doesn’t want to be informed about serious, ongoing threats to Canadians," Singh said at a recent news conference.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May echoed this sentiment, urging Poilievre to obtain clearance. "The only way for Canadians to be certain that the Official Opposition has not been compromised by foreign interference is for its leader to undergo and secure top-secret security clearance," May said.