Documents obtained by CP24 have revealed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has dealt with dozens of cases of harassment and violence within its ranks, with only a small fraction being deemed founded.
According to the documents, which were obtained through an access to information request, CSIS has received 40 complaints of harassment and 10 complaints of violence between 2015 and 2020. However, only eight of these cases were deemed founded by the agency.
The documents also show that the majority of the complaints were made by employees, with only a few coming from external sources. The complaints ranged from verbal abuse and bullying to physical violence and sexual harassment.
In one case, an employee reported being physically assaulted by a colleague, resulting in a concussion and other injuries. However, the complaint was deemed unfounded by CSIS, citing a lack of evidence.
In another case, an employee reported being subjected to repeated sexual advances and inappropriate comments by a superior. Despite multiple witnesses corroborating the victim’s account, the complaint was also deemed unfounded.
These revelations have raised concerns about the culture within CSIS and the agency’s handling of harassment and violence complaints. In response, CSIS spokesperson Tahera Mufti stated that the agency takes all complaints seriously and follows a rigorous process to investigate and address them.
However, critics argue that the low number of founded cases raises questions about the effectiveness of this process and the agency’s commitment to addressing workplace harassment and violence.
The documents also show that CSIS has implemented various measures to address these issues, including mandatory training for all employees and the establishment of a harassment and violence prevention committee.
Despite these efforts, the documents reveal that the number of complaints has remained consistent over the years, with an average of eight complaints per year.
In light of these findings, experts are calling for greater transparency and accountability within CSIS to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all employees.
In conclusion, the documents obtained by CP24 have shed light on the prevalence of harassment and violence within CSIS and the agency’s handling of these serious issues. It is clear that more needs to be done to address and prevent such behavior within the agency.
