CSIS briefed Ontario premier's office on potential Chinese interference: Ford
Canada's national security agency briefed the Ontario premier's chief of staff after allegations of election interference by China were tied to a member of his caucus, Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday.
Vincent Ke, a provincial representative for Don Valley North in Toronto, resigned from the Progressive Conservative caucus earlier this month after the allegations surfaced in a Global News report.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Ke has denied the allegations and called them defamatory.
Ford's office said the meeting occurred in November with then chief-of-staff Jamie Wallace, who then filled in the premier.
Ford said the meeting was brief and "wasn't in depth."
"With CSIS, everything's a big secret, they don't give you a proper briefing in my opinion," Ford said at an announcement in Vaughan, Ont., for more money to train skilled workers.
"They will say a few comments and 'we can't tell you, we can't tell you, we can't tell you."
Ford's office said it did not take action because CSIS provided limited information and provincial authorities decided to let the national security service do its work.
He said the province will co-operate with the CSIS probe, but believes Ke will be exonerated.
"I have confidence that his name will be cleared," Ford said.
"If his name's totally cleared, there's no reason why he can't come back to the caucus."
Ke has sat as an independent since March 10.
That followed a report from Global News that alleged Ke served as a financial intermediary in a Chinese Communist Party election interference scheme.
Ke was first elected in 2018 and re-elected last June.
An earlier report by Global News in November referenced the alleged involvement of an Ontario member of provincial parliament, and while Ke wasn't publicly named at the time, Ford's office says the reporter had asked them questions about the provincial representative.
Ford's office says the premier's chief of staff then requested and received a briefing from CSIS, but didn't receive concrete information.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 21, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
New non-invasive tool detects early stages of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
Researchers at Carleton University's Department of Electronics in Ottawa created a ground-breaking testing device to detect early signs of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s through biomolecular activities in a person’s saliva.
'Tone-deaf': Singh slams rapporteur Johnston for not stepping down
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh slammed foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston's refusal to heed the House of Commons' call for him to step down as 'tone-deaf.'
Collapsed platform in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar last repaired a decade ago: city
The elevated walkway in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar that collapsed during a school field trip, sending 16 children and one adult to hospital, was last repaired a decade ago.
Jordan's royal wedding gets underway in ceremony packed with stars and deep symbolism
The wedding of Jordan's crown prince to the scion of a prominent Saudi family began on Thursday in a palace celebration that drew massive crowds and a mood of excitement around the kingdom, while presenting the young Hashemite royal as a new player on the global stage.
'Both of them had a heart of gold': Family releases statement on engaged couple shot dead at home near Hamilton
The family of an engaged couple who were shot dead following a dispute with their landlord in Stoney Creek over the weekend released a statement of their loved ones, remembering them as 'two beautiful souls.'
Air Canada reports communications system issue, flights operating at reduced rate
Air Canada reported a technical issue with its flight communications system on Thursday, causing delays across the country for the second time in a week.
RBC resolves technical issues with online, mobile banking
The Royal Bank of Canada has resolved a technical issue that temporarily impacted online and mobile banking.
Biden trips after speech addressing U.S. Air Force Academy graduates
President Joe Biden on Thursday thanked U.S. Air Force Academy graduates for choosing “service over self” but said they now have the “great privilege” of leading in a world that will only get more confusing in the years to come. His appearance was punctuated by a stumble onstage after handing out diplomas to graduates.
Climate change and El Nino's return will impact Canada's weather. Here's how
Forecasters warn an upcoming weather pattern known for warm temperatures could bring droughts, floods and even tropical storms to Canada.
Montreal
-
More than 225,000 Hydro-Quebec customers lose power due to forest fires
Several regions of the province have been hit by power outages. The total of Quebec customers without electricity right now stands at 227,881.
-
Calling 311? Bill 96 now requires Montrealers to 'attest' they can get English services
Residents who wish to speak with the City of Montreal by calling 311 now have to attest they can receive services in English because of Bill 96. New provisions of the language law came into effect Thursday.
-
Only 2 in 10 women say they're very knowledgeable about abortion options: survey
As millions of women in the United States find themselves deprived of abortion services since Roe v Wade was overturned last year, a new survey suggests that a majority of women here (62 per cent) are now concerned about their reproductive rights in Canada.
London
-
Former Norwich, Ont. councillor welcomed to Toronto Pride month event
Alisha Stubbs, who resigned last week over what she called “blatant discrimination”, attended the unveiling of a Progress Flag in Toronto.
-
Man known to frequent London wanted on a Canada-wide warrant
OPP are looking for Matthew Daigneault — wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for a breach of statutory release. He is described as a white man about 6’ tall, 243 lbs, with a short/receding hairline.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO | A barn in Delaware went up in flames around 11 a.m.
According to London fire, Engine 9, Car 9 and Tanker 5 have all responded to the scene on Brigham Road.
Kitchener
-
Staff at Kitchener business thwart attempted robbery
Mallory Robinson says it was “a little more than [she] was expecting” when she arrived at work at her family's Kitchener business Wednesday morning.
-
Two injured in downtown Kitchener stabbing
Waterloo regional police say two people were sent to hospital after a stabbing in downtown Kitchener.
-
Fire rips through Kitchener townhomes, residents displaced
At least three units in a townhouse complex are damaged, displacing many residents, after a fire on Green Valley Drive in Kitchener on Wednesday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
Fire ban declared in northern Ontario
An open-air fire ban declared by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in the north due to extreme forest fire hazard went into effect at midnight.
-
North Bay monitoring creek after transport fire involving pool chemicals
The City of North Bay is monitoring chlorine levels in Chippewa Creek after fire run-off water from the transport fire entered storm sewers.
-
Blind River emergency room temporary closure averted
A planned closure due to doctor shortage in Blind River on Friday has been avoided, the North Shore Health Network says.
Ottawa
-
Two city employees fired following tips to Ottawa's fraud and waste hotline in 2022
The city of Ottawa fired two employees with "medical related duties" for submitting falsified vaccination status documents last year following a tip to the city's fraud and waste hotline, according to a new report from the city's auditor general.
-
HEAT WARNING
HEAT WARNING | Hottest June 1 in Ottawa history
The temperature hit 29.8 C at 11 a.m. Thursday, setting a record for the warmest June 1 in Ottawa’s history. The old record was 29.6 C, set back in 2011, according to Environment Canada.
-
Caldwell Family Centre moving out of west end location due to housing shortage
The Caldwell Family Centre is looking for a new home, after three decades of serving the Carlington community in Ottawa's west end.
Windsor
-
Windsor police officer appealing after conviction for freedom convoy donation
A Windsor police officer is appealing his discreditable conduct conviction and penalty for donating $50 to the Freedom Convoy.
-
Stellantis 'does not confirm' new Windsor EV battery plant deal
Stellantis does not confirm that a deal has been reached to secure the $5-billion NextStar Energy EV battery plant in Windsor.
-
Police cracking down on noise and crime at Riverfront Festival Plaza
Windsor police are telling the public to expect to see an increased police presence in and around the Riverfront Festival Plaza.
Barrie
-
Several people injured in multi-vehicle collision near Beaverton
Provincial police are at the scene of a serious multi-vehicle collision south of Beaverton.
-
Barrie police warn residents not to hug strangers after 'bizarre theft'
Police in Barrie are warning the public about a "bizarre theft" where the suspects targeted a senior on her property outside her home.
-
Bracebridge beach shuts down over safety concerns
A popular beach in Bracebridge is being temporarily shut down over safety concerns.
Atlantic
-
N.S. premier calls for urgent, proactive firefighting help from Ottawa
Premier Tim Houston repeated his calls for urgent firefighting help Thursday, asking Ottawa to “be proactive” with aid as multiple wildfires continue to burn out of control.
-
Waegwoltic Club burns in south-end Halifax
A historic athletic club in south-end Halifax is on fire.
-
New wildfire reported in Fall River, N.S.
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage says a new wildfire has been reported in the community of Fall River.
Calgary
-
Explosions erupt from southwest Calgary home's garage
Fire crews, along with police, are investigating after a double detached garage outside a southwest home burst into flames on Thursday morning.
-
Didsbury senior rescued after 4 days missing in heavily-wooded area
Innisfail RCMP say a Didsbury woman who went missing for four days is in good spirits after being located by rescue teams.
-
Bucks for Bellflowers: Calgary man offers cash for bag's worth of invasive plant
A Calgary man is offering a cash reward to neighbours who dig up a bag full of Creeping Bellflower.
Winnipeg
-
-
Collapsed platform in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar last repaired a decade ago: city
The elevated walkway in Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar that collapsed during a school field trip, sending 16 children and one adult to hospital, was last repaired a decade ago.
-
Search for missing teen has been suspended, family says
The search for a missing teen last seen more than a week ago in Winnipeg has been suspended after a body that has yet to be identified was found.
Vancouver
-
ICBC introduces new 'distance-based discount' for drivers
British Columbians who drive fewer than 10,000 kilometres a year are now eligible for a break on their insurance, according to ICBC.
-
Air Canada IT issue impacts flights to and from YVR
Some Air Canada flights to and from Vancouver International Airport were delayed or cancelled Thursday due to a technical issue with the airline.
-
B.C. to invest $17 million on science, Indigenous knowledge to restore Pacific salmon
The British Columbia government is adding $17.25 million for ongoing efforts to save declining populations of wild Pacific salmon.
Edmonton
-
2 Edmonton outdoor pools open for season, 2 more to open in following weeks
Thursday's overcast weather didn't stop Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack from turning up to Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool's grand opening in swimming trunks, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
-
'If it floats we treat it as a boat': Residents reminded to use the North Saskatchewan River safely this summer
The City of Edmonton, Devon, and Fort Saskatchewan, along with local emergency organizations, are reminding residents to be safe when on or near the North Saskatchewan River this summer.
-
Krispy Kreme planning Alberta expansion, starting in Edmonton
Krispy Kreme will soon have a drive-thru and dine-in location in the Alberta capital, and that's just the beginning, the global doughnut giant and a local developer announced Thursday.