OTTAWA — The public safety minister says the Liberal government plans to model its national security committee of parliamentarians after the one in Britain because it has successfully kept secret information under wraps over the years.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Ralph Goodale says it is very important that sensitive security secrets be kept in the strictest confidence.
Goodale will be in the United Kingdom next week to learn more about Britain's parliamentary intelligence and security committee.
The minister says he is particularly interested to know how its members maintain the self-discipline to avoid leaking secrets.
Goodale says he hopes to introduce legislation before the House of Commons rises for summer to create the new committee of security-cleared parliamentarians.
The previous Conservative government resisted calls to form such a committee, suggesting arm's-length review agencies — not partisan politicians — should oversee spy agencies.
