The Confidence of Canadians

Accountabilities of the CSIS Director

Long description of infographic: The CSIS Director is accountable to:

Accountability and Retaining the Trust of Canadians

As an intelligence agency it should surprise no one that much of what CSIS does is, and will remain, invisible to Canadians. Successful operations that identify and mitigate threats must be carried out clandestinely in order to be effective. Nevertheless, the way in which CSIS conducts that work is subject to considerable oversight and accountability.

Since CSIS’ inception in 1984, the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) has been the independent review agency, reporting to Parliament on the operational activities of CSIS, and hearing public complaints. The Prime Minister of Canada is responsible for SIRC.

In addition, new legislation has led to the creation of the newly formed National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), which offers for the first time, a whole of government examination of the national security function.

Over the years, SIRC and CSIS have developed an open exchange of information to support SIRC investigations; CSIS is currently cultivating the same transparent relationship with NSICOP. CSIS works diligently to ensure SIRC and NSICOP have timely access to documentation required to satisfy their investigations.

CSIS has also established an operational compliance framework, ensuring that compliance is woven into the fabric of our organization’s culture, in an effort to assure the Federal Court, the Government of Canada and Canadians that CSIS holds compliance with the laws of Canada as paramount.

CSIS welcomes any changes that contribute to an increase of public trust, while continuing its efforts to safeguard national security.

Transparency

CSIS Foreign Cooperation

Human Rights Considerations

Academic Outreach

New Legislation: C-59 – What does it mean for CSIS?

Operations

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