Mandate, Duties and Functions

CSIS Act: CSIS collects information and intelligence on activities suspected of constituting threats to the security of Canada and advises the Government of Canada. CSIS also supports other Government of Canada departments and agencies through security screening and foreign intelligence collection.

Core mandate

Investigate threats

• s.12: Collect, analyze and report to and advise Government of Canada on threats to the security of Canada

Reduce threats

• s.12.1: Take measures to reduce threats to the security of Canada

Threats to the security of Canada

• Espionage or sabotage
• Foreign influenced activities
• Terrorism
• Subversion

Support to other Government departments and agencies

Security screening

• s.13: Provide security assessments to Government of Canada departments, provinces or foreign states
• s.14: Provide security advice on matters related to citizenship and immigration
• s.15: Conduct investigations for the purpose of providing security assessments or security advice

Collect foreign intelligence

• s.16: At the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs or National Defence, collect (within Canada) information on the capabilities, intentions or activities of foreign states or persons

Enabling authorities: Authorities that contribute to CSIS effectively and efficiently fulfilling its mandate

Warrants

• s.21: Authorizes more intrusive investigative techniques (s.12 and s.16)
• s.21.1: Authorizes certain threat reduction measures
• s.22.3: Can order assistance to give effect to a warrant

Datasets

• s.11.1: Authorizes the collection, retention and use of non-threat related datasets to support the mandate

Information sharing / disclosure

• s.17: Authorizes cooperation with Government of Canada departments, provinces, and provincial police forces;
• s.19: Specifies when information may be disclosed

Protection of human sources

• s.18.1: Ensures the identity of human sources is kept confidential

Exemptions

• s.18.2: Provides exemptions for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a covert identity

Justification framework

• s.20.1: Authorizes CSIS to undertake, or direct a person to commit, acts or omissions that would otherwise be illegal under Canadian law

Review and oversight

All CSIS activities are subject to review by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. The Intelligence Commissioner provides oversight by examining and approving certain decisions of the Minister, including the classes of Canadian datasets that CSIS can collect and classes of otherwise illegal activity pursuant to the justification framework.