It is not common knowledge, but Canada has more informants than most any other Western nation. The numbers have been calculated to be well over 2% of the population. People will often refer to "police informants" as the boogy man, however here the informants are controlled by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The whole apparatus is separate from the police community and based out of their intelligence community. When I refer to this I am referring to security intelligence domestically. Likewise, our version of the National Security Agency (NSA) is run by the Canadian/Communcation Security Establishment (CSE). These two agencies do not have the power to arrest people, though they can easily liaise with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to effect arrest.

In grade 11 of high school I was into counter-culture activities including smoking a good portion of weed. I found an amazing looking long sleeve shirt with graphics of marijuana from a wild store at the local mall. So being an ignorant teen I figured that no one would really care if I was in the druggie scene and thought that I might even be respected for my decision by other like minded youth.

The first day that I wore that shirt to school I was about to be briefed on how this intelligence thing actually worked. A friendly stranger pulled me aside and talked with me for several minutes. He explained how vast the intelligence apparatus really was in Canada and strongly advised against wearing anything that would put me on the radar of CSIS. I was briefed on what CSIS was, how they operated, and the extent of their infiltration into counter-cultural operations. This was a massive surprise to me as the gangsta music was always railing against "the pigs" (police) and I was completely ignorant that all intelligence activities domestically was run through CSIS. This briefing on how things operate in Canada was a complete surprise, and the vastness of the organization's reach had its veil lifted. I was no longer an ignorant fool.

I learned about the structure of the organization, including how membership in CSIS ran in families, and information about their financial structure and operations.

Boy meets World:
At this point I had been given enough information to be able to spot those with membership in this civilian intelligence organization. Rather than make a game out of outing assets I used the information that I had received to inform me personally about their activities and let sleeping spies stay in their slumber. I decided with a final decision never to reveal the names of the assets that has been outed. Frankly, I didn't want the drama of revealing this information to anyone, whether inside or outside of the intelligence community. My mouth was closed. However, I can't un-learn what I had been briefed about.

To this day I have minded my own business and let the intelligence folks do what they do but at a distance. I was neither their friend nor foe, but a non-actor. I made a final decision to never join up with any intelligence agency or organization. I believe that this decision was a wise one. Life is difficult enough without having powerful enemies at the gate.

I never saw the man that briefed me on all this stuff again and have no idea whatever came of him. I am grateful that I am no longer ignorant of the workings of Canadian intelligence. I have studied the intelligence community at a distance with a bookshelf full of intrigue, but never took the next step of signing up. I wish those of you who are in The Community well, but it doesn't go further than that. I will never sign up.

Just to be sure that I am communicating properly I emphasize that I am neither for nor against the Intelligence Community (IC). I do not want to join up with a group who have the worst type of people as their enemies. It simply does not interest me to risk my life. I find open-source intelligence intriguing from a historical and political perspective. I now write articles such as this one about the IC. I write them because I find most education to be beneficial. I really enjoy learning and like studying this stuff from a distance.

If I ever came across something large I would pass the information along, however I don't make a habit of being affiliated with any state actor. I'm not an asset nor do I have any desire to be such. They may indeed be elite, but as a matter of practice they steal secrets when I'm the kind of person to mind my own business. Such services are needed to stop international drug trafficking, foreign intelligence, sexual slavery, and terrorism. I respect that there are people who protect other people from these adversaries. It is not for me. I am trying to tread softly in this article. I don't seek to have any more enemies, haters, or violent offenders against me. I am just reflecting on a story of my young days as a teenager. Pretty messed up huh?
For certain.

What are your experiences with the intelligence community? As this is an international echomail network this will probably be read by people from many nations. I am curious about your experiences from your perspective. Don't share secrets here, but I'd like to know how the IC works in your countries.

Anyways I wish you all well. Stay safe and keep out of trouble.

Cheers!
-warmfuzzy

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Linux/64)
* Origin: thE qUAntUm wOrmhOlE, rAmsgAtE, uK. bbs.erb.pw (700:100/37)

On 14 Jan 2026, warmfuzzy said the following...

It is not common knowledge, but Canada has more informants than most any other Western nation. The numbers have been calculated to be well over

I'm not an asset nor do I have any desire to be such. They may indeed
be elite, but as a matter of practice they steal secrets when I'm the
kind of person to mind my own business. Such services are needed to
stop international drug trafficking, foreign intelligence, sexual
slavery, and terrorism. I respect that there are people who protect
other people from these adversaries. It is not for me. I am trying to

Interesting stuff!

On a personal level keeping that community, nation, society - specially the innocents - deserve every protection, making limited participation well within personal principles.

Getting deep into other people's stuff on a personal level where they get mischievous without serious consequences and nobody else is hurt, gets a bit dicey.

When you come across those who have provided information, take a moment to evaluate why they did so. Your opinion of what they do may change when you explore why.

Many people worry about getting put on government lists. Remember that governments have done these list things like forever, and some lists are quite good to be included on.

Would be really interesting to read all the lists and files a person has been put on!

... I'd love to help you out. Which way did you come in?

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Linux/64)
* Origin: thE qUAntUm wOrmhOlE, rAmsgAtE, uK. bbs.erb.pw (700:100/37)