Canadian spies who allegedly hacked into Brazil’s mining and energy ministry took part in secret meetings in Ottawa and briefed energy corporations, says the British newspaper the Guardian. Brazil is infuriated by news that Canada was spying on it and is threatening to freeze Canadian ventures there.
There are more than 40 Canadian mining companies in Brazil and its booming oil sector is expected to provide competition for Canadian oilsands companies.
“Claims of spying on the (Brazil’s) ministry by Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) come amid Canadian government’s increasingly aggressive promotion of resource corporations at home and abroad, including , unprecedented surveillance and intelligence sharing with companies,” reports the article.
Secret meetings have been held twice a year since 2005 involving government ministries, spy and police agencies, and representatives from scores of companies which obtained high-level security clearance, says the Guardian based on documents it obtained through access to information law.
The article adds “Meetings were officially billed to discuss ‘threats’to energy infrastructure but also covered ‘challenges to energy projects from environmental groups’, ‘cyber security initiatives’ and ‘economic and corporate espionage.’”
The Guardian promises there is more to come.
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