Canada's spy chief believes Toronto could be a haven for terrorists trying to build weapons of mass destruction, CTV has learned.
In exclusive audio obtained by CTV News, Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director Richard Fadden reveals agents are keeping an eye on the city because those looking to make bombs can get the necessary materials there.
"I regret to say that a large amount of that effort goes on in the Toronto area," Fadden said in the recording, made by the Royal Canadian Military Institute. The tapes are typically available only to members of the institute.
"Toronto has more (of) the scientific, industrial, technological base than many other parts of Canada. There are a lot of people who are very, very active in this area to try and acquire technology," in defiance of international law, he said.
Fadden's candor regarding matters of national security has gotten him into trouble recently, forcing him to defend his actions before a parliamentary committee this week.
Experts say Fadden's disclosures could land him in even more hot water.
"It raises questions about why CSIS is going public on its own with this kind of information before the government has been properly informed," says Wesley Wark, a national security and intelligence expert at the University of Toronto.
Fadden set off a national scandal last month when he publicly stated that a number of the country's municipal and provincial politicians are believed to be under the influence of foreign governments.
He did not name the politicians nor the countries exerting control, though he insinuated China may be involved.
In the recordings, he broadens his accusations to include politicians at the federal level.
"Even more worrisome, and this is a new trend in Canada, are the growing number of instances, where attempts are being made to influence – surreptitiously, in secret, covertly – municipal, provincial and federal politicians," he said.
On Monday, Fadden promised the parliamentary committee he would expand on the allegations in a report, to be completed within a month.
The Liberal opposition is pushing to have the process sped up.
