Question Period Note: Toxic Workplace Allegations at CSIS

The Canadian Press has published an investigation into allegations of rape, harassment and a toxic workplace culture in the CSIS BC office. CBC has published a follow up, referencing the Director of CSIS’ statement on the matter

• Accusations of a toxic workplace cannot be taken lightly and in light of these serious allegations, CSIS is undertaking a Workplace Climate Assessment in its BC regional office.
• Immediately upon learning of the allegations of inappropriate workplace behaviour, CSIS launched an independent third-party investigation without delay and the alleged perpetrator was removed from the workplace.
• To be clear, employment with CSIS does not, and will never, prevent employees from reporting a crime to the police.

• CSIS has effective and fair procedures and recourse mechanisms in place to address any allegations or instances of inappropriate behaviour, which can include termination of employment and legal action.

• I have confidence in the integrity of CSIS’s internal grievance process and I understand that the British Colombia Supreme Court decision found no flaw with CSIS’s existing process and therefore dismissed the case.

• I understand the Director of CSIS recently put out a statement, in which he committed to addressing toxic workplace culture by addressing all allegations as they are raised.

The Canadian Press has published an investigation into allegations of rape, harassment and a toxic workplace culture in the British Columbia office of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

The investigation, by reporter Darryl Greer, includes interviews with two covert officers who say they were sexually assaulted by a senior colleague while on duty, and two other officers who support their claims.

The package consists of a main story CSIS-Toxic-Culture at 3,900 words and a 500 word sidebar about the challenges faced by the women in speaking out, including a law against identifying themselves or others as covert officers.

CSIS sent an IMU Note to Public Safety (PS) and the Privy Council Office (PCO) on March 29, 2022 related to a the first employee (using pseudonym Jane DOE) civil litigation claim against CSIS, filed on 2022 02 11. The note highlighted the claim from Jane DOE alleging she was sexually assaulted by a co-worker on numerous occasions between 2018 and 2021. This civil lawsuit did not generate media attention.

On 2023 06 28, a civil lawsuit against CSIS was filed by another CSIS employee (using pseudonym A.B.). The employee, who is represented by the same counsel as Jane DOE, is alleging similar claims (i.e. sexual harassment/assaults in the workplace, “baiting”) against the same individual and former co-worker as Jane DOE. A.B. is claiming that CSIS’s internal grievance process is “corrupt and ineffectual”.

CSIS Director David Vigneault put out a statement, saying accusations of a "toxic workplace" cannot be taken lightly, and a Workplace Climate Assessment will take place in the B.C. office to resolve "potential barriers to a safe, healthy and respectful workplace."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that the allegations are "devastating," "unacceptable" and of "deep, deep concern." His government is following up "very directly" on the matter, he told media at an unrelated announcement in Ajax, Ont.

The statement says that when the agency first heard about the allegations, it launched a third-party investigation "without delay." It says that for too long, a culture existed at the agency that allowed "inappropriate behaviours" to "fester."

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