Leah West
@leahwest-nsl.bsky.social
SJD. Associate Prof at Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Sr Fellow @CIGI. Ex Armoured Officer & DOJ Nat Sec lawyer. Write about the law of spies, robots and terrorism. Sanctioned by Russia.
Mike and I dive deep on the new Combatting hate act. Give it a listen.
🚨🎙️New Secure Line is out now! We're talking Canada's "Combating Hate Act" -- what it does, why it's being introduced, and places where it might overreach. With the wonderful Mike Nesbitt. Have a listen!
Available wherever you get your podcasts
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Zc...
Available wherever you get your podcasts
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Zc...
Signs, Flags, and Misdemeanors
YouTube video by Secure Line
www.youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Mike and I dive deep on the new Combatting hate act. Give it a listen.
Reposted by Leah West
New Secure Line Podcast out! You may heard a lot about the surveillance provisions in Parts 14 and 15 of Bill C-2. @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social breaks it down to @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and myself. What are the problems? Is it fixable? Discuss!
youtu.be/S6YOovnRuqU?...
youtu.be/S6YOovnRuqU?...
Backdoors, Borders, and Bill C-2
YouTube video by Secure Line
youtu.be
September 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
New Secure Line Podcast out! You may heard a lot about the surveillance provisions in Parts 14 and 15 of Bill C-2. @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social breaks it down to @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and myself. What are the problems? Is it fixable? Discuss!
youtu.be/S6YOovnRuqU?...
youtu.be/S6YOovnRuqU?...
Reposted by Leah West
🚨Really pleased to share Season 2 of Secure Line! We kick off the season with a roundup of everything we missed over the summer months....and there was a lot. Freezerbags full of intelligence, you might say.
Available wherever you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/3wrl1-Yt6wc?...
Available wherever you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/3wrl1-Yt6wc?...
Freezerbags full of intelligence
YouTube video by Secure Line
youtu.be
September 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
🚨Really pleased to share Season 2 of Secure Line! We kick off the season with a roundup of everything we missed over the summer months....and there was a lot. Freezerbags full of intelligence, you might say.
Available wherever you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/3wrl1-Yt6wc?...
Available wherever you get your podcasts.
youtu.be/3wrl1-Yt6wc?...
Reposted by Leah West
1. Arc of the moral universe, etc.
Teachers, journalists, healthcare workers, and academics have been fired or suspended for expressing pro-Palestinian views. Some workers and students have been added to public or private blacklists (Canary Mission) for pro-Palestinian activism
Teachers, journalists, healthcare workers, and academics have been fired or suspended for expressing pro-Palestinian views. Some workers and students have been added to public or private blacklists (Canary Mission) for pro-Palestinian activism
Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday.
July 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
1. Arc of the moral universe, etc.
Teachers, journalists, healthcare workers, and academics have been fired or suspended for expressing pro-Palestinian views. Some workers and students have been added to public or private blacklists (Canary Mission) for pro-Palestinian activism
Teachers, journalists, healthcare workers, and academics have been fired or suspended for expressing pro-Palestinian views. Some workers and students have been added to public or private blacklists (Canary Mission) for pro-Palestinian activism
There is much about this story that is staggering. But the inclusion of military members while deeply troubling is not surprising.
A story:
I was part of the RWE CAF research network funded by the Department of National Defence to study IMVE in the military for three years 2020-2023.
A story:
I was part of the RWE CAF research network funded by the Department of National Defence to study IMVE in the military for three years 2020-2023.
Huge news out of Canada: Military members arrested on terrorism charges:
“The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia...they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
“The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia...they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Canadian Armed Forces members among four charged in Quebec extremist plot, RCMP say
Four people are accused of planning to create an anti-government militia to seize land in Quebec City
www.theglobeandmail.com
July 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
There is much about this story that is staggering. But the inclusion of military members while deeply troubling is not surprising.
A story:
I was part of the RWE CAF research network funded by the Department of National Defence to study IMVE in the military for three years 2020-2023.
A story:
I was part of the RWE CAF research network funded by the Department of National Defence to study IMVE in the military for three years 2020-2023.
Reposted by Leah West
Huge news out of Canada: Military members arrested on terrorism charges:
“The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia...they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
“The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia...they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Canadian Armed Forces members among four charged in Quebec extremist plot, RCMP say
Four people are accused of planning to create an anti-government militia to seize land in Quebec City
www.theglobeandmail.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Huge news out of Canada: Military members arrested on terrorism charges:
“The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia...they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
“The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia...they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises”
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
This Charter statement is certainly not quelling any concerns over the lawful access portion of Bill C2.
If my student submitted this charter assessment of the lawful access provisions they would get a C (at best).
www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/...
If my student submitted this charter assessment of the lawful access provisions they would get a C (at best).
www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/...
Charter Statement Bill C-2: An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures
The Charter Statement for Bill C-2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures, is no...
www.justice.gc.ca
June 20, 2025 at 12:25 AM
This Charter statement is certainly not quelling any concerns over the lawful access portion of Bill C2.
If my student submitted this charter assessment of the lawful access provisions they would get a C (at best).
www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/...
If my student submitted this charter assessment of the lawful access provisions they would get a C (at best).
www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/...
Reposted by Leah West
NEW today from myself @citizenlab.ca, on the unspoken implications of Canada's Bill C-2 for data-sharing with the United States and other foreign countries:
citizenlab.ca/2025/06/a-pr...
citizenlab.ca/2025/06/a-pr...
Unspoken Implications: A Preliminary Analysis of Bill C-2 and Canada’s Potential Data-Sharing Obligations Towards the United States and Other Countries - The Citizen Lab
On June 3, 2025, the federal government tabled Bill C-2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related sec...
citizenlab.ca
June 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
NEW today from myself @citizenlab.ca, on the unspoken implications of Canada's Bill C-2 for data-sharing with the United States and other foreign countries:
citizenlab.ca/2025/06/a-pr...
citizenlab.ca/2025/06/a-pr...
Reposted by Leah West
I was encouraged to see the #G7 Leaders' Statement on Transnational Repression which also calls out mitigating harms around mercenary spyware 👇🇨🇦
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
June 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I was encouraged to see the #G7 Leaders' Statement on Transnational Repression which also calls out mitigating harms around mercenary spyware 👇🇨🇦
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
I have to agree. I have no reason to believe this was the intent of the provisions but as drafted it’s the likely outcome. IMO the GoC should take a mulligan and introduce an amendment in committee; would be a means of showing some good faith that was lost by tabling without consultation.
I could re-write this so that it accomplishes their stated objectives AND survives a Charter challenge. But in its current form, it will be struck down because of the scope that clearly tells me about objectives that are unstated.
June 19, 2025 at 12:39 AM
I have to agree. I have no reason to believe this was the intent of the provisions but as drafted it’s the likely outcome. IMO the GoC should take a mulligan and introduce an amendment in committee; would be a means of showing some good faith that was lost by tabling without consultation.
Proud to be apart of this team. Was a dream to work with everyone on this project.
April 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Proud to be apart of this team. Was a dream to work with everyone on this project.
Really happy to see SITE taking steps to identify and inform the public about FI efforts at the riding level. Routine and regular warnings and education is necessary to ensure the Canadian electorate is aware and resilient against FI.
❗SITE Task Force notes two campaigns targeting Conservative candidate Joe Tay:
1) inauthentically amplified content surrounding the HK bounty on Tay & his political competence. (At least one PRC-linked Facebook account)
2) Deliberate censorship of Tay’s name on PRC-based social media platforms.
1) inauthentically amplified content surrounding the HK bounty on Tay & his political competence. (At least one PRC-linked Facebook account)
2) Deliberate censorship of Tay’s name on PRC-based social media platforms.
Going to be watching the last (I believe) briefing of the Security and Intelligence to Elections Task Force briefing on election security today at 11:00am ET. You can watch on CPAC here: www.cpac.ca/vote-2025/ep...
April 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Really happy to see SITE taking steps to identify and inform the public about FI efforts at the riding level. Routine and regular warnings and education is necessary to ensure the Canadian electorate is aware and resilient against FI.
Reposted by Leah West
New episode of Secure Line is out!
Signal and the (FI) Noise: Catching up with the news - where @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I discuss some of the national security issues that have arisen in and out of the context of the election.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFuU...
Signal and the (FI) Noise: Catching up with the news - where @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I discuss some of the national security issues that have arisen in and out of the context of the election.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFuU...
Signal and the (FI) Noise: Catching up with the news
YouTube video by Secure Line
www.youtube.com
April 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
New episode of Secure Line is out!
Signal and the (FI) Noise: Catching up with the news - where @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I discuss some of the national security issues that have arisen in and out of the context of the election.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFuU...
Signal and the (FI) Noise: Catching up with the news - where @jessmarindavis.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I discuss some of the national security issues that have arisen in and out of the context of the election.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFuU...
An absolute honour. One of those rare trips that totally fills your cup.
Spent the last 48-hrs with two of my absolute best academic friends, Russell Buchan and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social, chatting about my forthcoming book on the role of int’l law in the regulation of espionage. Saying I had fun would be the understatement of the century!
@iumaurerlaw.bsky.social
@iumaurerlaw.bsky.social
April 21, 2025 at 3:26 PM
An absolute honour. One of those rare trips that totally fills your cup.
Having a real time listening to the “we need to take our medicine” from the antivax crowd.
April 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Having a real time listening to the “we need to take our medicine” from the antivax crowd.
Reposted by Leah West
Yes, I think this is broadly right. It's also worth considering the purpose behind these public communications and whether they are achieving that.
@stephaniecarvin.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I just recorded an episode of Secure Line out later this week on this issue.
@stephaniecarvin.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I just recorded an episode of Secure Line out later this week on this issue.
The more I watch security-related pressers, the more I feel the impulses of journalists can push us towards irresponsible coverage.
I'm watching journalists try really hard to tease out the narrative China was trying to weave in an influence campaign as security officials tell them it's unhelpful.
I'm watching journalists try really hard to tease out the narrative China was trying to weave in an influence campaign as security officials tell them it's unhelpful.
April 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Yes, I think this is broadly right. It's also worth considering the purpose behind these public communications and whether they are achieving that.
@stephaniecarvin.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I just recorded an episode of Secure Line out later this week on this issue.
@stephaniecarvin.bsky.social and @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social and I just recorded an episode of Secure Line out later this week on this issue.
Reposted by Leah West
New episode of Secure Line podcast out. @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social & I talk to @plagasse.bsky.social about Canadian defence. We map out some of the important choices about the future of our alliances and the shape of our armed forces that the next PM will face.
youtu.be/oREKuN6BbO8?...
youtu.be/oREKuN6BbO8?...
Playing Defence
YouTube video by Secure Line
youtu.be
April 6, 2025 at 12:55 PM
New episode of Secure Line podcast out. @leahwest-nsl.bsky.social & I talk to @plagasse.bsky.social about Canadian defence. We map out some of the important choices about the future of our alliances and the shape of our armed forces that the next PM will face.
youtu.be/oREKuN6BbO8?...
youtu.be/oREKuN6BbO8?...
Holds up.
“If she wants to know something specific, but doesn’t want people to notice her asking questions, she should simply make incorrect statements while in the company of experts. Her companions will correct her, especially if they're men.”
- Advice for female agents in WW2, provided during SOE training
- Advice for female agents in WW2, provided during SOE training
March 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Holds up.
Back from a conference in Nice. First time I’ve ever travelled abroad and had people genuinely interested in understanding Canadian politics and security issues.
I didn’t like it.
I didn’t like it.
March 16, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Back from a conference in Nice. First time I’ve ever travelled abroad and had people genuinely interested in understanding Canadian politics and security issues.
I didn’t like it.
I didn’t like it.
Reposted by Leah West
Dealing with an issue that, for reasons that defy actual reasons, is much in the news.
open.substack.com/pub/craigfor...
open.substack.com/pub/craigfor...
CastBack Podcast – Defining the Canada-U.S. Border by Treaty
Or why some of the lines are squiggly and...some are straight
open.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Dealing with an issue that, for reasons that defy actual reasons, is much in the news.
open.substack.com/pub/craigfor...
open.substack.com/pub/craigfor...
Reposted by Leah West
IMPORTANT: After days of violence in Syria, a big step has been taken for the future of Syria, as Ahmad al-Shar’a and Mazloum Abdi sign an agreement to integrate the SDF into new Syrian forces www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Syria reaches deal to integrate SDF within state institutions, presidency says
Syria reached a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) with state institutions, the Syrian presidency said on Monday.
www.reuters.com
March 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
IMPORTANT: After days of violence in Syria, a big step has been taken for the future of Syria, as Ahmad al-Shar’a and Mazloum Abdi sign an agreement to integrate the SDF into new Syrian forces www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Leah West
Today is the 79th anniversary of the signing of the BRUSA (later known as UKUSA) agreement. Will it make it to 80?
March 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Today is the 79th anniversary of the signing of the BRUSA (later known as UKUSA) agreement. Will it make it to 80?
🚨 NEW EPISODE: Crypto Cold Front with Ari Redbord! 🚨
North Korea’s biggest crypto hack ever just happened, and Canada is shockingly among the top 10 countries with the highest exposure to sanctioned entities. How? Why?
youtu.be/v11WVtRnki4?...
North Korea’s biggest crypto hack ever just happened, and Canada is shockingly among the top 10 countries with the highest exposure to sanctioned entities. How? Why?
youtu.be/v11WVtRnki4?...
Crypto Cold Front
YouTube video by Secure Line
youtu.be
March 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
🚨 NEW EPISODE: Crypto Cold Front with Ari Redbord! 🚨
North Korea’s biggest crypto hack ever just happened, and Canada is shockingly among the top 10 countries with the highest exposure to sanctioned entities. How? Why?
youtu.be/v11WVtRnki4?...
North Korea’s biggest crypto hack ever just happened, and Canada is shockingly among the top 10 countries with the highest exposure to sanctioned entities. How? Why?
youtu.be/v11WVtRnki4?...