The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians launches a review of the role of the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister
Ottawa, October 10, 2024 — The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) today announces a review of the role of the National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA) to the Prime Minister.
The NSIA is one of the most senior officials in the government and a key advisor to the Prime Minister on security and intelligence. While the role was created more than twenty years ago, its authorities and governance framework have not been the subject of dedicated external review.
Accordingly, the objectives of the review will be to:
- Describe the current role of the NSIA and how it has changed since its inception in 2003; and
- Review the legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative and financial framework of the NSIA as well as its activities.
“While the role was looked at in some detail by the Commission of Inquiry into the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 2010, and to some extent by the Committee in its 2018 Special Report into the Prime Minister’s visit to India, no committee or inquiry has yet conducted a thorough examination of the NSIA's legal, policy and governance framework,” said the Chair of NSICOP, the Honourable David McGuinty.
Based on this review, the Committee may make findings and recommendations.
Background
NSICOP was established under the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act on June 22, 2017. It may review:
- the legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative and financial framework for national security and intelligence;
- any activity carried out by a department that relates to national security or intelligence, unless the activity is an ongoing operation and the appropriate Minister determines that the review would be injurious to national security; and,
- any matter relating to national security or intelligence that a minister of the Crown refers to the Committee.
NSICOP members hold the highest level of security clearance, are bound by the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act and meet in private.