A newly declassified file on Lévesque shows the Mounties suspected the charismatic commentator of being a left-wing subversive while a CBC journalist, recorded his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War, and carefully followed the irascible politician's transformation into an iconic separatist.

By 1972, the Mounties determined that Lévesque was "not considered a subversive revolutionary. He is a strong Quebec nationalist who advocates separation of that province through peaceful and democratic means."

A September 1967 memo notes his file "should be upgraded to Top Secret." It says Lévesque had been carrying on a "flirtation" with the separatists.