Accountability needed after forged documents used to smear journalist and compromise House committee

Now that documents used to allege that David Pugliese is a Russian spy have been debunked as forgeries, the Public Safety and National Security Committee must summon Chris Alexander to ascertain who supplied him with the false information.

Defence reporter David Pugliese, left, was left to defend himself after former Conservative cabinet minister Chris Alexander lobbed now-debunked allegations at an October 2024 House committee meeting that he was a foreign spy.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Opinion

BY SCOTT TAYLOR

October 13, 2025

OTTAWA—It has been almost one year since damning allegations were made in Parliament in an attempt to smear one of Canada's top defence reporters.

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

Top Canadian political and policy opinion and analysis. Saturdays and Sundays. Weekends.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy

FOLLOW THE HILL TIMES: