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Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney declined to comment Thursday on reports that a foreign spy arrested in Turkey for allegedly helping three British girls join the Islamic State was working for a Canadian intelligence agency.

Turkish news agencies reported Thursday that a foreign intelligence agent detained in that country on suspicion of helping the girls travel to neighbouring Syria to join ISIL was working for the Canadian government.

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In Ottawa, a government source said the individual arrested is not a Canadian citizen and “was not an employee of CSIS.” However, nobody in government would rule out the possibility the alleged spy was helping the Canadian government in any capacity.

The NDP led off question period Thursday by asking Blaney whether Canadian intelligence was involved. Blaney responded that he was aware of the reports but would not comment on “operational matters” of national security.