Canada NSA Made Quick Visits To India, But Who Is Jody Thomas?

Before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his controversial accusation regarding a possible Indian government connection to the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Jody Thomas, Canada's National Security and Intelligence Advisor, made two trips to India in the past month.

During these meetings, it is understood that Thomas discussed the issue of Canadian security agencies actively investigating credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Indian government and the killing of Nijjar. Canada sought possible cooperation from Indian agencies in this matter.

Who Is Jody Thomas? Know Her Here.

In January 2020, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed Thomas, a seasoned public servant who perceives China as a potential threat to Canada as the new National Security Adviser.

Prior to this role, Thomas assumed the position of Deputy Minister at the Department of National Defence on October 23, 2017. She embarked on her public service career in 1988 when she was designated as Chief of Business Planning and Administration within Public Works and Government Services Canada's Atlantic Region.

Subsequently, Thomas moved to the West Coast, serving as the Business Manager of the Esquimalt Graving Dock in Victoria, British Columbia. From 1995 to 2010, she joined Passport Canada, where she held roles such as Manager of the Victoria Passport Office and later assumed various senior positions within the Passport Office, eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she oversaw service delivery at 35 locations, involving 3,000 employees across Canada.

In 2010, Thomas joined the Canadian Coast Guard and held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Operations for four years. During this tenure, she provided leadership and functional direction in developing the Coast Guard's strategic and operational policy frameworks, monitored their implementation, and ensured the cost-effective delivery of Coast Guard programs.

In September 2014, Thomas took on the role of Special Advisor to the Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations) at the Privy Council Office until her appointment as Commissioner of the Coast Guard on January 1, 2015. In, 2017, she joined the Department of National Defence, serving as Senior Associate Deputy Minister.

War With Law

Allegations were raised against Thomas for improper use of her influence in a significant military contract to benefit her son. In 2021, Thomas cautioned Canadian defence industry officials against raising inquiries regarding the contentious $77 billion warship project.

This warning was made in light of her son's employment with Lockheed Martin, an American arms manufacturing company. Subsequently, Lockheed Martin secured the contract for the $77 billion warship project. Jody's son, Andrew Coates, has been employed by Lockheed Martin since March 2019, and the company was awarded the contract to construct warships for the Canadian Navy in 2019.

While India has firmly rejected these allegations, deeming them absurd and motivated, it has accused Ottawa of not taking action against Khalistan separatists in Canada and of failing to share any specific information regarding Nijjar's killing. Amidst this Thomas' back-to-back visits to India have raised several questions.

Suggested Reading: The Fraught History of India And The Khalistan Movement