Hamilton man's fight with CSIS postponed

A Hamilton activist thought hed finally be heading to Ottawa this month for a hearing after CSIS agents visited his home in 2013 but it has been postponed because those same agents arent available.

Ken Stone allegesagents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) visited his house to intimidate him in 2013. Stone has long been a vocal labour and anti-racism advocate, and says the agents asked him about an op-ed he wrote in the Hamilton Spectator titledHarper is wrong in demonizing Iran. He also visited Iran to attend a conference on Palestinian human rights in 2011.

• Read More:Hamilton man to get hearing with CSIS on 'intimidation' case

• Read More: After visit from CSIS, Hamilton man criticizes 'intimidation'

After the visit, Stone made a formal complaint to The Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC), a board of political appointees that examines CSISs operations.

Hearing dates had been set for March 26 and 27 but in a letter from SIRC dated March 23, registrar Shayna Stawicki told Stones lawyer the proceedings were postponed until further notice because witnesses arent available on either of those dates.

The civilian review process is totally inadequate, Stone told CBC Hamilton in an email. SIRC didnt even have the decency to set a future date.

How many Canadians have the resources to pursue a complaint against CSIS for over two years?

CSIS also failed to provide timely and full disclosure of documents relevant to the complaint, Stone alleges. "SIRC is basically a lapdog for CSIS not a watchdog."

SIRC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Stone also launched a crowdfunding campaign and successfully raised $1,250 to cover his legal fees.