Trudeau says he's asked spy agencies to share foreign interference information with Poilievre

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's asked intelligence services to find a way to brief Pierre Poilievre about foreign interference allegations involving his party — and possibly to share "some names" with the Conservative leader.

"I have asked the security services to figure out a way to give some information to the leader of the Opposition so that he can actually fulfil his responsibility of protecting Canadians, including those within his own caucus," Trudeau said during question period Wednesday.

"It would be easier if he got his security clearance, but I've asked them to give him some information nonetheless."

His comments prolong an ongoing, bitter back-and-forth about political foreign interference and Poilievre's refusal to date to go through the screening process to obtain a security clearance.

The debate was revived earlier this month when Trudeau told the inquiry into foreign interference that he's seen intelligence about Conservative parliamentarians and party members who are engaged in or vulnerable to foreign interference.

Speaking Wednesday, Trudeau said he's asked security services to "figure out a way" to share information with Poilievre, and "perhaps even some names."

"So that he can take action and protect his members," said the prime minister.

Poilievre again calls on Trudeau to name names

Poilievre responded that if Trudeau wants to release names, "he can legally do it now on the floor of the House of Commons."

The Opposition leader has long argued against getting that clearance by saying he would be bound by secrecy laws and couldn't speak openly or challenge the government.

Last week, government House leader Karina Gould accused Poilievre of "hiding something from Canadians" through his refusal to get the national security clearance he needs to review classified documents.

"Does he think he might not be able to pass a security clearance, or does he know something and he's trying to hide it? Or is there something that he's trying to protect?" Gould said in an accompanying video.

Conservative spokesperson Sebastian Skamski said Poilievre isn't concerned about going through the security check and pointed out that he's already been through the process as a cabinet minister.

"Submitting private personal information to a security clearance check is not a concern for Mr. Poilievre, nor has he ever expressed that as a concern," Skamski said.

"To the contrary, Mr. Poilievre's objection is that he will be silenced by the Trudeau Liberal government — a view which he has repeatedly stated publicly."

Speaking to a parliamentary committee Tuesday, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Dan Rogers said it's better for party leaders to be "knowledgeable" about foreign interference.

"From our perspective, the more knowledgeable that party leaders are about the threat of foreign interference, some of the specifics we've seen through our intelligence, the more they can be aware and the more they may be able to take actions appropriate within their own party," he said.

He said if a leader doesn't have a security clearance, CSIS will look at other mechanisms to reduce a threat.

"If a leader chooses to have a clearance, we can have a broader conversation with them about the details of the threat and certain types of intelligence," said Rogers.

CBC has reached out to CSIS to ask if it would be willing to share with Poilievre the names of parliamentarians allegedly involved in foreign interference.