CSIS surveillance of pipeline protesters faces federal review

A federal committee is holding a hearing Wednesdayinto a complaint that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service illegally spied on peaceful anti-pipeline protesters in B.C., but the public may never know what has occurred behind the hearing's closed doors.

The security intelligence review committee hearing will not be open to the public.

The complaint was filed by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) last year and allegesthatCSIS"broke the law by gathering information on the peaceful and democratic activities of Canadians."

The association'sexecutive director, Josh Paterson, said CSIS documents reveal theagency was watching people and groups opposed to pipeline expansionand that informants reported on, amongother things, a gathering ina Kelowna church basement and theAll Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert.

"The information seems to have been shared between differentagencies, including the RCMP, the National Energy Boardand even to oil and pipeline companies," said Paterson.

"That is not the job of Canada's spy and police agencies, to be reporting to corporations on the democratic activities of citizens."

Victoria retireeTerry Dance-Bennickwill be testifying at the hearing Wednesday. Sheclaimsshe was spied on while canvassing for the Dogwood Initiative, a group that opposes the Northern Gateway pipeline project.

"Aguy at the distance was photographing us witha big long telephoto lens," Dance-Bennick told CBC News."It's scaring people from exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly."

Fear of terrorism

AndreGerolymatis, a Simon FraserUniversity professor who specializes in internationalterrorism,thinksCSIScould have reasonsthat justify thesurveillance.

"The major fear forCSISand thegovernmentis that pipelines represent a really good target for terrorists," saidGerolymatisin a phone interview.

"So whatCSISis doing maybe not as well as they should they'refilming to see if anyone amongthe demonstratorsisaffiliatedwith terrorists."

CBC News asked the security intelligence review committee for comment on the hearingbut did not get a response.

In the past,CSIS has denied allegations that it acted illegally.

"While I cannot comment on specificcomplaints, what I can say is that CSIS investigates and advises government on threats to national security, and that does not include peaceful protest and dissent," said CSIS spokeswoman Tahera Mufti in a statement issued in February 2014.