National Security and Intelligence – Organization and mandate 

Role of the Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor

The Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor (DC/NSIA) plays a critical coordination role within the foreign policy, defence, security, and intelligence community.

The DC/NSIA supports Government of Canada coherence and cooperation across national security and intelligence issues and provides policy and operational advice and intelligence briefings to the Prime Minister on national security and intelligence matters, including during international or domestic crises. The DC/NSIA also supports the Prime Minster and Cabinet on Cabinet business, acting as the Secretary to the National Security Council. Furthermore, the DC/NSIA brings to bear a central perspective in engaging with Canada Security and Intelligence community. The DC/NSIA also engages regularly with international allies and partners to enhance collaboration and cooperation on security and intelligence matters.

The DC/NSIA reports to the Clerk of the Privy Council and the Prime Minister.

See more: Mandate Letter of the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister

Role and Organization of the National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA) Branch

The DC/NSIA is supported by the Deputy NSIA and the Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister.

The National Security and Intelligence Advisor’s Branch provides policy support to the DC/NSIA, the Prime Minister, and the Clerk of the Privy Council. The NSIA Branch is comprised of three Secretariats that work closely with other government departments to coordinate efforts and liaise with PMO:

• the Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat;
• the Security and Intelligence Secretariat; and,
• the National Security Council Secretariat.

The Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat

The Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat (FDP) is led by the Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor (FDPA) to the Prime Minister. FDP’s mandate is to serve Canada and Canadians by providing professional, non-partisan advice and support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on foreign and defence policy.

The Security and Intelligence Secretariat

The Security and Intelligence Secretariat (S&I) provides policy advice and support on national security and intelligence matters. The Secretariat coordinates and advises on strategic policy initiatives across the security and intelligence community, as well as on security and intelligence operations, events, and issues, and provides associated awareness to senior officials. The Security and Intelligence Secretariat is also responsible for the management of the Government’s Intelligence Priorities process.

The Secretariat is also home to PCO Security Operations, which provides physical security support to events such as Deputy Minister and Cabinet retreats, security services during PM tours, operates a 24/7 Crisis Management Cell, and conducts security clearances and related investigations.

The National Security Council Secretariat

The National Security Council Secretariat provides Secretariat support to the National Security Council (NSC) and produces intelligence assessments to assist decision-makers by providing tailored and timely insight into domestic and international developments of interest to Canada. The Secretariat provides overall strategic direction and management of the NSC agenda, engages extensively with the broader national security community on horizontal issues, and provides strategic advice on the associated policy considerations. The Secretariat also provides leadership for Canada’s intelligence assessment community, and its Assistant Secretary serves as Canada’s Head of Assessment.

The Secretariat also houses the Canadian Academy for Intelligence Analysis (CAIA) which provides analytical and tradecraft training to the entire Canadian Intelligence Community, as well as the Intelligence Analysis Community of Practice (IACOP).