Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Anne McLellan today issued this statement in respect
of the report of the Security Intelligence Review Committee on
the complaint by Mr. Bhupinder S. Liddar.
"First of all, this case validates the important role that the
Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) plays in ensuring
the accountability of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
(CSIS).
To that point, and on the matter of the report’s first recommendation
that Mr. Liddar be granted a level III security clearance, the
process ran its proper course. The difference in findings between
CSIS and SIRC is a clear demonstration of the important and independent
role the Committee plays in reviewing complaints regarding the
denial of a security clearance, and more broadly, of the checks
and balances the Government has built into our nation’s
security intelligence processes.
That said, I did write to the Director of CSIS asking him to look
into certain matters raised in the report and provide me with his
assessment.
In response to the second recommendation made by SIRC, as it relates
to taping interviews and the making and retention of notes in security
clearance interviews, the Director has committed to report back
to me following a comprehensive review of this complex issue. The
Director has, as well, indicated that the Service will look, in
a broader fashion, at its security screening practices and policies.
The information in the report’s appendix did not, as it
states, affect the two recommendations. However, I was concerned
by, and take very seriously, the comments therein relating to CSIS’ interactions
with the Committee during the hearings.
The Director of CSIS has met already with the Chair of SIRC and
emphasized his personal commitment to addressing any concerns relating
to CSIS’ relationship with the Committee.
Specifically, the Director of CSIS has indicated to the Chair
of SIRC that, while the Service did not believe that it had misled
the Committee, any such impression is unacceptable. Furthermore,
the Director has reminded managers of the Service of CSIS’ obligation
to provide all relevant information to the Committee and to ensure
thorough responses to the Committee’s requests. He
has also asked his General Counsel, in consultation with SIRC Counsel,
to review procedures relating to hearings to determine how the
Service can best meet the obligation of disclosure in SIRC litigation. SIRC
has indicated its agreement with this approach.
I have asked the Director of CSIS to meet again with the Chair of
SIRC to discuss the concerns raised around this case and to continue
talks aimed at addressing any particular concerns."
