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Multiple government departments declined to answer questions regarding what role Canada played in the CIA operation.

Department of National Defence senior communications adviser Ashley Lemire told the National Post: “The Government of Canada does not comment on leaked documents.” The Communications Security Establishment of Canada and Public Safety Canada sent similar statements by email.

The documents detail information the CIA wanted, including private strategies of the candidates, as well as information on potential schisms and alliances between key players within the parties.

In 2013, documents leaked by Edward Snowden revealed that Canada had spied on Brazil’s government in an attempt to get information related to mining and energy — two areas in which Canadian and Brazilian companies often compete. The incident caused diplomatic strife between Canada and Brazil, with Mulcair saying at the time it gave Canada “a black eye in the world.”

Mulcair pointed to the 2013 Brazil example on Friday, highlighting that since that alleged spying based on leaked documents turned out to be true, these leaked documents should also be taken seriously.

“Canadians don’t expect their government to spy on our closest allies, especially when it involves their own domestic elections. There’s nothing more sensitive than that, as we’re observing right now with the allegations in the U.S. election,” said Mulcair.