Introduction
Canada’s Privacy Act protects the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by government institutions. It also provides individuals with a right of access to that information.
The legislation to establish the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act (NSICOP Act), received Royal Assent in June 2017. The Committee is composed of up to eleven members, no more than three of whom may be from the Senate and no more than eight of whom may be from the House of Commons. Each member must hold a Top Secret security clearance.
The mandate of the Committee is to review:
- the legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative, and financial framework for national security and intelligence;
- any activity carried out by a department or agency 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 referred to it by a minister of the Crown.
To fulfill its mandate, the Committee is entitled to have access to any information, with few exceptions, that is under the control of a department and that is related to the fulfillment of the Committee’s mandate.
The Committee is required to submit to the Prime Minister an annual report of the reviews it conducted during the preceding year. It may also issue a special report at any time on any matter related to its mandate. A declassified version of those reports must be laid before both Houses of Parliament (in certain cases, the Committee may decide to include only a summary of a special report in its annual report). There are two categories of information that may be redacted from the report on the direction of the Prime Minister: information which would be injurious to national security, national defence or international relations if disclosed; and, information that is subject to specific legal privileges, most commonly solicitor-client privilege.
Through its public reports and its outreach activities to non-governmental organizations, academics and students, the Committee aims to provide as much information to the public as possible, within the parameters of the NSICOP Act.
In 2023-2024, the Committee submitted its 2022 Annual Report and a Special Report on the Federal Policing Mandate of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to the Prime Minister. Both reports have been tabled in Parliament. It also initiated a review of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes.
Organizational structure
The Secretariat of the NSICOP was established pursuant to the NSICOP Act. Its Executive Director is the deputy head of the Secretariat and is responsible for its control, management and all its administrative and operation matters. The Executive Director delegates the coordination of and response to of Privacy Act requests to the Manager, Corporate and Administrative Services.
The Secretariat applies the policies and guidelines of the Treasury Board on access to information and privacy.
Delegation order
The Minister heading each government institution is responsible for the implementation of the Privacy Act within his or her institution. The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (LGHC) is the Minister responsible for the Secretariat.
The Delegation Order was signed by the LGHC in 2023. The persons holding the position or acting in the position of Executive Director and the Director of Operations have full delegation to exercise or perform any of the powers, duties, and functions under the Privacy Act.
Performance 2023-2024
Section 22.4 of the Privacy Act specifies that the Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians “shall refuse to disclose personal information requested under subsection 12(1) that was obtained or created by it or on its behalf in the course of assisting the Committee in fulfilling its mandate”.
During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Secretariat did not receive any requests for records under the Privacy Act, and it was not the subject of any complaints.
Training and awareness
All Secretariat employees are aware that the Secretariat is subject to the Privacy Act and are aware of their obligations under the Act.
Policies, guidelines and procedures
Pursuant to section 20 of the NSICOP Act, the Committee adopted comprehensive internal procedures for the Committee and the Secretariat to follow in the exercise of the Committee’s powers or the performance of its duties and functions. Those procedures refer to the obligations of the Secretariat in processing Privacy Act requests.
Initiatives and projects to improve privacy
The Secretariat of the NSICOP has not undertaken any initiatives or projects to improve access to personal information and privacy within the institution during the reporting period.
Summary of key issues and actions taken on complaints
There were no complaints, audits, or investigations during the reporting period.
Material privacy breaches
No material privacy breaches were reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner or to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat during the reporting period.
Privacy impact assessments
The Secretariat of the NSICOP did not complete any privacy impact assessments during the reporting period.
Public interest disclosures
No disclosures were made under paragraph 8(2)(m) of the Privacy Act during the reporting period.
Monitoring compliance
There is no requirement for specific monitoring of Privacy Act requests. The Executive Director is made aware of all requests as soon as received and their progress and treatment are closely monitored.
Statistical report on the Privacy Act
Name of institution: National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
Reporting period: 2023-04-01 to 2024-03-31
Section 1 - Requests under the Privacy Act
1.1 Number of requests received
| |
Number of requests |
|---|
| Received during reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Outstanding from previous reporting periods |
0 |
|---|
| Outstanding from previous reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Outstanding from more than one reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Total |
0 |
|---|
| Closed during reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Carried over to next reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Carried over within legislated timelines |
0 |
|---|
| Carried over beyond legislated timelines |
0 |
|---|
1.2 Channel of requests
| Source |
Number of requests |
|---|
| Online |
0 |
| Email |
0 |
| Mail |
0 |
| In person |
0 |
| Phone |
0 |
| Fax |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
Section 2 - Informal requests
2.1 Number of informal requests
| |
Number of requests |
|---|
| Received during reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Outstanding from previous reporting periods |
0 |
|---|
| Outstanding from previous reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Outstanding from more than one reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Total |
0 |
|---|
| Closed during reporting period |
0 |
|---|
| Carried over to next reporting period |
0 |
|---|
2.2 Channels of informal requests
| Source |
Number of requests |
|---|
| Online |
0 |
| Email |
0 |
| Mail |
0 |
| In person |
0 |
| Phone |
0 |
| Fax |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
2.3 Completion time of informal requests
| Completion time |
|---|
| 1 to 15 days |
16 to 30 days |
31 to 60 days |
61 to 120 days |
121 to 180 days |
181 to 365 days |
More than 365 days |
Total |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.4 Pages released informally
| Less than 100 pages released |
100-500 pages released |
501-1000 pages released |
1001-5000 pages released |
More than 5000 pages released |
|---|
| Number of requests |
Pages released |
Number of requests |
Pages released |
Number of requests |
Pages released |
Number of requests |
Pages released |
Number of requests |
Pages released |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Section 3 - Requests closed during the reporting period
3.1 Disposition and completion time
Disposition of requests |
Completion time |
|---|
| 1 to 15 days |
16 to 30 days |
31 to 60 days |
61 to 120 days |
121 to 180 days |
181 to 365 days |
More than 365 days |
Total |
|---|
| All disclosed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Disclosed in part |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All exempted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All excluded |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| No records exist |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Request abandoned |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Neither confirmed or denied |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.2 Exemptions
| Section |
Number of requests |
|---|
| 18(2) |
0 |
| 19(1)(a) |
0 |
| 19(1)(b) |
0 |
| 19(1)(c) |
0 |
| 19(1)(d) |
0 |
| 19(1)(e) |
0 |
| 19(1)(f) |
0 |
| 20 |
0 |
| 21 |
0 |
| 22(1)(a)(i) |
0 |
| 22(1)(a)(ii) |
0 |
| 22(1)(a)(iii) |
0 |
| 22(1)(b) |
0 |
| 22(1)(c) |
0 |
| 22(2) |
0 |
| 22.1 |
0 |
| 22.2 |
0 |
| 22.3 |
0 |
| 22.4 |
0 |
| 23(a) |
0 |
| 23(b) |
0 |
| 24(a) |
0 |
| 24(b) |
0 |
| 25 |
0 |
| 26 |
0 |
| 27 |
0 |
| 27.1 |
0 |
| 28 |
0 |
3.3 Exclusions
| Section |
Number of requests |
|---|
| 69(1)(a) |
0 |
| 69(1)(b) |
0 |
| 69.1 |
0 |
| 70(1) |
0 |
| 70(1)(a) |
0 |
| 70(1)(b) |
0 |
| 70(1)(c) |
0 |
| 70(1)(d) |
0 |
| 70(1)(e) |
0 |
| 70(1)(f) |
0 |
| 70.1 |
0 |
3.4 Format of information released
| Paper |
Electronic record |
Data set |
Video |
Audio |
Other |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.5 Complexity
3.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed for paper, e-record and dataset formats
| Number of pages processed |
Number of pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
3.5.2 Relevant pages processed per request disposition for paper, e-record and dataset formats by size of requests
Disposition |
Less than 100 pages processed |
101-500 pages processed |
501-1000 pages processed |
1001-5000 pages processed |
More than 5000 pages processed |
|---|
| Number of requests |
Pages processed |
Number of requests |
Pages processed |
Number of requests |
Pages processed |
Number of requests |
Pages processed |
Number of requests |
Pages processed |
|---|
| All disclosed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Disclosed in part |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| All exempted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| All excluded |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Request abandoned |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Neither confirmed nor denied |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
3.5.3 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats
| Number of minutes processed |
Number of minutes disclosed |
Number of requests |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
3.5.4 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests
| Disposition |
Less than 60 minutes processed |
60-120 minutes processed |
More than 120 minutes processed |
|---|
| Number of requests |
Minutes processed |
Number of requests |
Minutes processed |
Number of requests |
Minutes processed |
|---|
| All disclosed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Disclosed in part |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All exempted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All excluded |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Request abandoned |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Neither confirmed nor denied |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.5.5 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats
| Number of minutes processed |
Number of minutes disclosed |
Number of requests |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
3.5.6 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests
| Disposition |
Less than 60 minutes processed |
60-120 minutes processed |
More than 120 minutes processed |
|---|
| Number of requests |
Minutes processed |
Number of requests |
Minutes processed |
Number of requests |
Minutes processed |
|---|
| All disclosed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Disclosed in part |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All exempted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All excluded |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Request abandoned |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Neither confirmed nor denied |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.5.7 Other complexities
| Disposition |
Consultation required |
Legal advice sought |
Interwoven information |
Other |
Total |
|---|
| All disclosed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Disclosed in part |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All exempted |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| All excluded |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Request abandoned |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Neither confirmed nor denied |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.6 Closed requests
3.6.1 Number of requests closed within legislated timelines
| Number of requests closed within legislated timelines |
0 |
|---|
| Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines (%) |
0 |
|---|
3.7 Deemed refusals
3.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines
| Number of requests closed past the legislated timelines |
Principal reason |
|---|
| Interference with operations / Workload |
External consultation |
Internal consultation |
Other |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)
| Number of days past legislated timelines |
Number of requests past legislated timelines where no extension was taken |
Number of requests past legislated timelines where an extension was taken |
Total |
|---|
| 1 to 15 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 16 to 30 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 31 to 60 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 61 to 120 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 121 to 180 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 181 to 365 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| More than 365 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.8 Requests for translation
| Translation requests |
Accepted |
Refused |
Total |
|---|
| English to French |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| French to English |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Section 4 - Disclosures under subsection 8(2) and 8(5)
| Paragraph 8(2)(e) |
Paragraph 8(2)(m) |
Subsection 8(5) |
Total |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Section 5 - Requests for correction of personal information and notations
| Disposition for correction requests received |
Number |
|---|
| Notations attached |
0 |
| Requests dor correction accepted |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
Section 6 - Extensions
6.1 Reasons for extensions
| Number of extensions taken |
15(a)(i) Interference with operations |
15(a)(ii) Consultation |
15(b) Translation purposes or conversion |
|---|
| Further review required to determine exemptions |
Large volume of pages |
Large volume of requests |
Documents are difficult to obtain |
Cabinet Confidence Section (Section 70) |
External |
Internal |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.2 Length of extensions
| Length of extensions |
15(a)(i) Interference with operations |
15(a)(ii) Consultation |
15(b) Translation purposes or conversion |
|---|
| Further review required to determine exemptions |
Large volume of pages |
Large volume of requests |
Documents are difficult to obtain |
Cabinet Confidence Section (Section 70) |
External |
Internal |
|---|
| 1 to 15 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 16 to 30 days |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 31 days or greater |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Section 7 - Consultations received from other institutions and organizations
7.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations
| Consultations |
Other government of Canada institutions |
Number of pages to review |
Other organizations |
Number of pages to review |
|---|
| Received during reporting period |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Outstanding from the previous reporting period |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Closed during the reporting period |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Carried over within negotiated timelines |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Carried over beyond negotiated timelines |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions
| Recommendation |
Number of days required to complete consultation requests |
|---|
| 1 to 15 days |
16 to 30 days |
31 to 60 days |
61 to 120 days |
121 to 180 days |
181 to 365 days |
More than 365 days |
Total |
|---|
| Disclose entirely |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Disclose in part |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Exempt entirely |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Exclude entirely |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Consult other institution |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
7.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations outside the government of Canada
| Recommendation |
Number of days required to complete consultation requests |
|---|
| 1 to 15 days |
16 to 30 days |
31 to 60 days |
61 to 120 days |
121 to 180 days |
181 to 365 days |
More than 365 days |
Total |
|---|
| Disclose entirely |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Disclose in part |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Exempt entirely |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Exclude entirely |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Consult other institution |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
Section 8 - Completion time of consultations on Cabinet confidences
8.1 Requests with Legal Services
| Number of days |
Less than 100 pages processed |
101-500 pages processed |
501-1000 pages processed |
1001-5000 pages processed |
More than 5000 pages processed |
|---|
| Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
|---|
| 1 to 15 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 16 to 30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 31 to 60 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 61 to 120 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 121 to 180 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 181 to 365 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| More than 365 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
8.2 Requests with Privy Council Office
| Number of days |
Less than 100 pages processed |
101-500 pages processed |
501-1000 pages processed |
1001-5000 pages processed |
More than 5000 pages processed |
|---|
| Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
Pages disclosed |
|---|
| 1 to 15 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 16 to 30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 31 to 60 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 61 to 120 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 121 to 180 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| 181 to 365 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| More than 365 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|---|
Section 9 - Complaints and investigations notices received
| Section 31 |
Section 33 |
Section 35 |
Court action |
Total |
|---|
| 0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Section 10 - Privacy Impact Assesments (PIAs) and Personal Information Banks (PIBs)
10.1 Privacy Impact Assesments
| Number of PIA(s) completed |
0 |
|---|
| Number of PIA(s) modified |
0 |
|---|
10.2 Institution-specific and central Personal Information Banks
| Personal Information Banks |
Active |
Created |
Terminated |
Modified |
|---|
| Institution-specific |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Central |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Section 11 - Privacy breaches
11.1 Material privacy breaches reported
| Number of material privacy breaches reported to TBS |
0 |
|---|
| Number of material privacy breaches reported to OPC |
0 |
|---|
11.2 Non-material privacy breaches reported
| Number of non-material privacy breaches |
0 |
|---|
Section 12 - Resources related to the Privacy Act
12.1 Allocated costs
| Expenditures |
Amount |
|---|
| Salaries |
$113 |
|---|
| Overtime |
$0 |
|---|
| Goods and services |
$0 |
|---|
| • Professional services contracts |
$0 |
|
|---|
| • Other |
$0 |
|
|---|
| Total |
$113 |
|---|
12.2 Human resources
| Resources |
Person years dedicated to Privacy activities |
|---|
| Full-time employees |
0.001 |
| Part-time and casual employees |
0.000 |
| Regional staff |
0.000 |
| Consultants and agency personnel |
0.000 |
| Students |
0.000 |
| Total |
0.001 |
