Strahl steps down as spy watchdog chair after lobbying uproar

Chuck Strahl is pictured in Ottawa on February 3, 2011. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Former Conservative MP Chuck Strahl is stepping down as chair of the Security Intelligence Review Committee following an uproar over revelations that he recently registered as a lobbyist for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project.

In a statement released to media late Friday afternoon, Strahl said that although he has complied with “all relevant rules and regulations” for ex-MPs, he does “not wish to be in the centre of the political fray.

“Nor do I want to be a distraction from the important work SIRC does every day in ensuring the security of Canadians. It is therefore with regret that I have concluded it is best for all concerned that I step down as Chair of SIRC.”

The SIRC oversees the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Last month, a media report out of British Columbia said Strahl’s consulting firm had recently registered as a lobbyist for the project in the province. That story sparked an outcry from NDP House Leader Nathan Cullen, who said at the time that Strahl’s actions undermined the “impartiality of civilian oversight.”

Strahl at first refused to leave his post. In his statement issued Friday, Strahl said he has always notified both the Privy Council Office and the Ethics Commissioner’s office of his work since leaving politics.

“Without exception…they have indicated that at all times I have been fully compliant with all relevant rules and regulations, and have affirmed that all of my post-political activities were consistently appropriate and above board,” Strahl said.

“Any recent criticism in this regard is entirely spurious and unfounded.”

On Friday, Cullen said Strahl “did the right thing” by resigning.

“It should have been common sense that someone with his position, trusted with an important job related to national security, should not be lobbying for a pipeline seeking federal government approval,” Cullen said.

He called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to “close the loopholes on lobbying, and make the appointments to SIRC more transparent and accountable.”

Harper issued his own statement Friday to extend his “personal best wishes to Chuck in all of his future endeavours.”

Harper said former MP Deborah Grey will step in as interim chair so “there will be no gap in the review of CSIS’s activities or in addressing complaints from the public.”

Strahl was first elected in 1993 and held numerous cabinet posts, including Minister of Indian Affairs and Minister of Transport. He retired from politics in 2011.