WASHINGTON — The release of unredacted, classified information is drawing questions in Canada, reports CBC News.

The classified documents disclosed details of Canada's military response procedures in the event of a 9/11-style terror attack. The material was part of a briefing given to Gen. Jonathan Vance, Canada's chief of defense staff in 2015.

One of the security measures outlined in the document permits fighter jets to shoot down a hijacked commercial airliner in order to protect the CN Tower in Toronto.

The document also explains who is authorized to make such a decision, rules of engagement, the locations of fighter jets on standby and the time it would take to scramble the aircraft. CBC chose not to disclose some contents of the documents for national security purposes.

The Canadian military has been under fire for internal investigations pertaining to the "loss or compromise" of classified information. Additionally, the second-highest ranking military commander in Canada, Vice Adm. Mark Norman, was suspended after being accused of leaking classified information.

"In this case, it sounds to me like a mistake was made," Vance told CBC on Wednesday. "We'll follow up and try and make certain that this sort of thing doesn't happen again."

About Mackenzie Wolf

Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.

Share:
More In Cyber