Igor Gouzenko

Igor Gouzenko, born on January 26, 1919, was a notable civil servant and writer who played a pivotal role in the early stages of the Cold War. As a cipher clerk for the Soviet embassy in Ottawa, Ontario, he held a position of significant responsibility within the Soviet Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). His life took a dramatic turn on September 5, 1945, when he defected, bringing with him a trove of one hundred and nine documents detailing the USSR's espionage activities in the West.

Gouzenko's defection was a catalyst for a national investigation into espionage in Canada, prompting Prime Minister Mackenzie King to establish a royal commission. His revelations exposed the Soviet Union's attempts to acquire nuclear secrets and the methods used to deploy sleeper agents, which had far-reaching implications for international relations.

The incident, now referred to as the 'Gouzenko Affair,' is often regarded as a significant trigger for the Cold War. Historian Jack Granatstein noted that it marked the beginning of the Cold War for public opinion, while journalist Robert Fulford asserted that the Cold War truly began in Ottawa. Granville Hicks emphasized the impact of Gouzenko's actions, stating that they awakened North America to the scale and threat of Soviet espionage.