As the elected Prime Minister, you get automatic top secret security clearance. The expectation is that the democratic process would have put the person in power, so we want that person to do whatever they wish with that top secret information. Otherwise, we would be losing the power of the people and putting it in the hands of CSIS.

All appointed ministers do get security screening, as that was put in place by Harper, I think. As a leader of the opposition, Poilievre wouldn't be subject to those requirements.

As far as I know there's nothing to indicate that he wouldn't pass the check. He just doesn't want to get the security check and get the inside info, because that would limit what attacks he could make. As an outsider he can spout off whatever drivel he wants.

So, if he doesn't pass your security screening, citizen, get out and vote.

Restricting democratic positions based on an undemocratic process isn't good. If a corrupt government wanted to keep someone from being voted out they could just deny security clearances to their political enemies and suddenly the people can't vote for who they want.

Like others have said, Poilievre could get security clearance if he wanted to. He's not a foreign agent, he's just an asshole. He's currently arguing that those who read the classified documents detailing interference by foreign spies are doing nothing to fix it. He loses that argument if he reads the documents, because now he's just like everyone else.

Pierre Poilievre is pleased with screwing us over

I suppose it depends on why they don't have security clearance. If it's someone who could never qualify for it, that would need to be announced and explained.

If it's simply a candidate who doesn't yet have it, that's something that should be known for the same reasons. They don't have all the information other candidates do, but are operating with the information they do have.

One does not need security clearance to discuss the actual important things like economics, social issues, and everything else publicly available.

One cannot be Prime Minister with out extensive security clearances. If The leader of the opposition wants to play this game he will effectively never be able to become PM even if he gets elected. My guess is that he is currently cleaning house before election season to ensure he can be cleared and "Lay the lie to rest" about why he never got clearances before.

Things that require clearances are not things that should be discussed in public, that is why they require clearance. The way our officials and leaders are treating intelligence operations and institutions is a damn joke and we will be lucky to keep our place in sharing alliances after this. Even if he got cleared he couldn't do anything with the "facts" and he can do more without the facts legally.

The problem is the bullshit is working and I am very disappointed in my fellow humans occupying this country.

If you have to have a security clearance to be elected, then the incumbents can choose their successors by whom they grant clearance too.

I say “Yes”. There has to be oversight of the security apparatus, someone who can say “No, that is NOT a reasonable security classification.” Otherwise, only platitudes will come out of that black box of intelligence. Remember, they work for the elected government, not the other way round. Having said that, I am certain that SOME secrets are never disclosed to the higher ups.

Why does Poilevre eschew getting clearence, I got the impression it would force him to lose the cobspiracy card, altho there are very real conspiracies occurring that are causing great harm to regular people, particularly the young

Yes they should be allowed to run for Prime Minister, no they shouldn't be allowed to be a party leader if they refuse to go through the process when given the opportunity.