One condition for debate on new spy agency

I am on the fence when it comes to the wisdom of Canada creating its own foreign intelligence agency. The current security force, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), is primarily focused on domestic intelligence, though it appears that foreign activities have been an increasingly important role for CSIS. It makes sense if you accept that foreign terrorism is the number one threat to Canada’s security. Something like CIA or MI6 is an important tool for combating terrorism.

So if Canada needs to send spies to foreign countries, it makes a good deal of organizational sense to create a new agency for that purpose.

On the other hand secrecy is often the enemy of democracy and intelligence agencies have occasionally become powers of their own. We may, as a country, feel that the risks are not outweighed by the potential of better security.

So I look forward to this being a serious and well thought-out public debate, where all sides of an argument are explored.

In that spirit can we all agree to a moratorium on references to James Bond or any other fictional spy hero?

Thank you.