For the first time, Canada’s intelligence agency is briefing individual parliamentarians who could be targeted by the clandestine influence operations conducted by China and other authoritarian regimes. John Townsend, a spokesperson for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), told The Globe and Mail that the agency is increasingly alarmed by efforts by Beijing and its agents to cozy up with elected Canadian officials in order to gain influence over parliamentary and government policies. “CSIS actively investigates threats that are carried out in a clandestine or deceptive manner or involve a threat to any person,” Townsend said regarding the briefings. “CSIS delivers these briefings in order to promote awareness of foreign interference and the actions of other hostile actors and to strengthen individual security practices and protect Canadians and their interests.” Townsend did not reveal who CSIS has briefed, though the Globe reported MPs and senators from all major parties were …