NSICOP's Special Report on the Lawful Access to Communications by Security and Intelligence Organizations tabled in Parliament

Ottawa, September 15, 2025 — The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ (NSICOP) Special Report on the Lawful Access to Communications by Security and Intelligence Organizations was tabled in Parliament on September 15, 2025.

The Committee considered the following key questions:

• Are Canada’s lawful access challenges for national security investigations as serious as the security and intelligence organizations claim?
• Has the government been effective at mitigating or developing solutions to these challenges?
• How does the government facilitate and enable national security investigations while at the same time protect Canadians’ right to privacy?

The report explores the significance of Canada’s lawful access challenges and the government’s response to these challenges at the operational and strategic levels, and considers the interplay between national security and Canadians’ right to privacy.

The unanimous report contains eleven findings and seven recommendations. The Committee looks forward to the government’s response to its recommendations.

The classified version of the report was delivered to the Prime Minister on March 4, 2025.

The report is available below and on the NSICOP's website.