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Observer exposé of domestic spying triggers federal hearings

The spying was revealed in documents obtained in 2013.

From left: Haisla member in Kitimat; Enbridge protest, Josh Paterson
From left: Haisla band member in Kitimat the day of Northern Gateway plebiscite results; protest in Vancouver against Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline; BCCLA executive director Josh Paterson. Photos by Mychaylo Prystupa

Vancouver Observer investigation has prompted hearings about whether the RCMP and CSIS broke the law by spying on environmental groups.

The Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) began hearing arguments today in Vancouver by the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) regarding the Harper government's extensive spying on groups critical of the tar sands. The spying was revealed in documents obtained by National Observer's sister publication, Vancouver Observer, in 2013.

"We wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for the Vancouver Observer," said BCCLA executive director Josh Paterson.

Read the full story here.

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