Year in review: Progress in an era of change

For 40 years now, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has protected the safety, security and prosperity of Canada and Canadians through trusted intelligence, advice and action. Yet, as we celebrate this milestone, we face a more complex and challenging national security environment than ever in our history. This year’s annual report provides us the opportunity to reflect on the work undertaken to transform and address an evolving environment. 

I  joined CSIS as Director in October 2024, and since that time, I have had the privilege to witness the dedication, skill, and professionalism at CSIS. From technical professionals finding cutting-edge solutions to enable our investigations, to the regional collectors working to understand the networks that facilitate threat activity, to the analysts who evaluate threats and provide advice to government, CSIS employees are steadfast in their commitment to the mission. I have the good fortune of joining the organization after a history of accomplishments by my predecessors. In particular, I’d like to thank David Vigneault for the leadership, wisdom, and direction that enabled a wealth of transformative accomplishments over the last seven years.

In 2024, two high-profile terrorism-related arrests prevented what were shaping up to be deadly attacks. Canada’s National Terrorism Threat Level remains at medium, largely because of mitigation efforts in place through intelligence and law enforcement bodies, but make no mistake, the trajectory of terrorism threat trends is concerning. Our social cohesion has been weakening in recent years, creating cleavages in our social fabric that threat actors seek to exploit. Perhaps most concerning, threat actors are seeking to radicalize younger Canadians, largely through online echo chambers that promote hateful rhetoric and incite others to commit violent acts. CSIS, along with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), joined Five Eyes partners in issuing a joint public statement on youth radicalization, and the collective efforts required to disrupt and counter it. This will remain a challenge for us as a society in the months and years ahead.

As international conflict persists, there are increasing threats from foreign nations seeking to bolster their military and economic goals at the expense of Canadian interests. With continued global competition for critical minerals, Canada’s potential for prosperity is vulnerable to espionage and foreign interference from states like the People’s Republic of China, that seek to acquire the supply chains of the future. Russian aggression extends beyond the current war of aggression in Ukraine, targeting Western states that support the international rules-based order, including through reckless sabotage attempts, and the deceptive evasion of sanctions. CSIS has also seen a concerning trend of states leveraging organized crime networks to conduct threat activity, including transnational repression of legitimate speech in Canada. Indeed, 2024 saw the indictment of two Canadians in the US as part of an alleged murder-for-hire plot on behalf of Iranian intelligence. 

As a way to enter Canada and conduct activities on our soil, hostile states, transnational organized crime groups and other threat actors attempt to exploit legitimate avenues—the same ones used by people looking to come to Canada to live peacefully with their families or to start anew. CSIS protects our national security through many efforts, such as the Immigration and Citizenship Screening Program. Through consistent and collaborative partnership with Canadian immigration and border officials, and international partners, we identify and mitigate threats before they enter our border. While the Government of Canada has announced a reduction in immigration targets, CSIS and other immigration partners will continue to treat the high volume of cases awaiting screening with the importance and vigilance needed to maintain our safety.

Throughout 2024, CSIS supported the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions (PIFI) through document production and expert testimony. We welcome the conclusions of the Commission’s recently released report, and work is already underway to address conclusions, including those related to intelligence dissemination. The report comes at an opportune moment as CSIS takes over as Chair of the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force, ahead of high-profile political processes, including the Liberal Party of Canada leadership campaign, a federal election, and anticipated provincial and territorial elections throughout 2025. Foreign states are watching closely for vulnerabilities and gaps in Canada’s protection of democratic processes. CSIS will continue to protect Canada’s democratic institutions alongside our core partners in a non-partisan manner, consistent with our tradition and that of the broader federal public service. This is why CSIS, along with SITE partners, will continue to engage with political parties and other relevant stakeholders to maintain the confidence of Canadians in our democratic systems.

As states and citizens alike adopt new technology, such as encryption and generative artificial intelligence, Canada must keep pace in understanding the varied impacts, opportunities and risks. These advancements can offer opportunities for Canada’s growth, while simultaneously equipping those who would seek to do us harm. In response, CSIS has implemented new processes and structures to review and shift resources as priorities emerge. Our teams work closely with international partners—Five Eye partners, European allies and many others—leveraging relationships built and strengthened over time, and which will be more critical than ever as the geopolitical environment evolves.

This year Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference, updated the CSIS Act in the most significant way since its creation in 1984. It has provided the basis for some of our operational activities to keep pace with advances in technology and has significantly increased our ability to engage with stakeholders outside the Government of Canada. This report outlines how CSIS has acted quickly to implement these changes, including through the provision of 28 resiliency disclosures to non-Government of Canada partners, including provincial governments and private industry organizations. Importantly, the changes to the CSIS Act also include a requirement for the CSIS Act to be reviewed at least every five years, allowing for Parliament to more regularly consider whether our authorities are appropriate in the face of evolving threats. 

Budget 2024 recognized the needs of CSIS in combatting global threats and in keeping pace with technological developments, providing targeted investments over the next eight years to enhance our intelligence capabilities and infrastructure. Upgrading the corporate and technical foundations of our work ensures we are well positioned to understand our vulnerabilities in the new world of security without sacrificing ongoing operational requirements. Our work is 24/7. The world is changing, and the number of threats continues to rise. We continually re-evaluate and re-deploy resources to ensure we remain focused on the highest priorities in safeguarding Canada. 

Finally, CSIS’ successes have been the result of a dedicated, skilled, diverse, and professional workforce. Our future success depends on our ability to retain these skilled intelligence professionals by ensuring a healthy work environment and culture. At the time of writing, we are about to release our first annual report on addressing misconduct and wrongdoing. It will mark an important step forward in transparency and accountability; however, it also makes clear that further efforts are needed to achieve our goals. We’re also about to finalize the establishment of the new CSIS Ombuds, who will report directly to me as Director, with a mandate to further our goals toward a fair and respectful workplace and provide an important resource for all CSIS staff who need advice and support to navigate workplace challenges when they arise.

Looking back, 2024 was full of major achievements and stark reminders. While we have made impressive strides to invest in our capabilities and modernize our authorities, the high pressure of evolving threats and priorities shows no sign of abating. As we respond to the threats we face, Canada must be clear-eyed on the unique role we play in national and international security and intelligence, while we strengthen ties with European and Indo-Pacific allies and reinforce our North American partnerships. Partners and their priorities continue to evolve, and our collective task is not getting simpler.

Continued transparency with Canadians is going to be crucial. New legal authorities under Bill C-70 are enabling us to engage with all sectors of society in new ways. This will also hopefully serve to strengthen the trust Canadians feel toward their institutions’ ability to protect our national interests and enduring values. I am confident that CSIS intelligence professionals will continue to meet that challenge.  

Dan Rogers, Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service