Canada: WPF Demands Answers Over Surveillance of Journalist Brandi Morin
Lack of response from surveillance firm and Alberta government to inquiries about this matter are deeply concerning
Location: Canada, Alberta
Date: February 1, 2024
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is extremely alarmed to have discovered secretive surveillance and monitoring of journalist Brandi Morin by Welund, a multinational intelligence firm contracted by the Alberta government. The revelation follows Morin’s arrest by Edmonton Police on obstruction charges in January, for which she can be imprisoned for up to two years. Morin, an award-winning journalist known for her courageous reporting on Indigenous communities, has been subjected to what appears to be unlawful surveillance due to her professional activities. The actions of Welund, especially in light of their contracts with the Alberta government, raise serious questions about the misuse of governmental powers in monitoring and potentially intimidating members of the press. It is imperative that Welund disclose the details and the basis of their report on Morin. Furthermore, the Alberta government's relationship with Welund, particularly the nature of the intelligence and risk-assessment services provided, warrants a thorough examination and explanation.
On February 1, 2024, alarming revelations emerged regarding the possible secretive surveillance of journalist Brandi Morin by Welund, a multinational intelligence firm with active contracts with the Alberta government.
Welund, known for its covert operations and surveillance practices, posted a tweet on Twitter referring to Morin. The tweet stated, "Obstruction charge against Indigenous journalist Brandi Morin proceeds," along with a link to an article on Welund’s intelligence platform. This article is exclusively available to corporations, law enforcement agencies, and governments that pay substantial fees for access to Welund’s intelligence.
Alberta government holds two disclosed sole source service contracts with Welund North America Limited, totaling over $140,000. These contracts involve providing multi-issue intelligence and risk-assessment capabilities to the Provincial Security and Intelligence Office (PSIO), which operates within the Alberta government under a veil of secrecy.
Ricochet Media made inquiries to the Alberta Ministry of Justice, the Solicitor General, and the Provincial Security and Intelligence Office regarding any intelligence received from Welund concerning Brandi Morin, or any communications with Welund regarding her. None of these entities responded. Welund also did not provide a response to a request for comment. Shortly after the outlet’s inquiry, Welund swiftly deleted the tweet referencing Brandi Morin from their profile.
Brandi Morin, an award-winning journalist recognized for her reporting on Indigenous communities, was arrested and charged on January 10, 2024, while covering the dismantling of a homeless encampment in Edmonton, Alberta. CFWIJ and other international press organizations have denounced Morin's arrest and urged Edmonton authorities to drop the charge against Morin for doing her job as a reporter. She is scheduled to appear in court on February 16, 2024, on an obstruction charge for which she could be imprisoned up to two years..
Morin’s reporting on Indigenous communities has previously been obstructructed by Canadian law enforcement. Suspicions that an intelligence firm could be tracking or surveilling Morin because of her work are deeply troubling. This concern is underscored by past instances, such as the case of journalist Patrick Lagacé in Montreal, where Canadian police used spying software to uncover his sources. Such surveillance of journalists represents a clear infringement upon privacy rights and the fundamental freedom of expression, principles safeguarded by international agreements like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom expresses deep concern over the potential surveillance of Brandi Morin by Welund. This incident sheds light on broader issues surrounding government surveillance and the involvement of private intelligence firms, especially in cases concerning journalists and press freedom. The Alberta government's use of Welund also raises transparency concerns, given the firm's practices that obstruct access to journalists' information requests. Instead of sharing intelligence reports via email, Welund opts for a secure online platform, accessible only to authorized government personnel through login credentials. This situation underscores the pressing need for enhanced accountability and adherence to human rights standards in intelligence gathering and surveillance.
We demand a response from Welund regarding the content of their report on Brandi Morin and urge complete transparency from the Provincial Security and Intelligence Office (PSIO) regarding any surveillance activities targeting Morin or any other members of the press. It is imperative that governments and private entities alike respect and uphold the rights of journalists to conduct their work without fear of surveillance or interference.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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