National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ Special Report on the National Security and Intelligence Activities of Global Affairs Canada Tabled in Parliament
OTTAWA, November 04, 2022 — The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ (NSICOP) Special Report on the National Security and Intelligence Activities of Global Affairs Canada (GAC, or the Department) was tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2022.
The report provides an overview of the nature and scope of the Department’s national security and intelligence activities. It examines the authorities under which the Department conducts those activities and how it governs them to support the accountability of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It also describes the structures the Department has in place to try to ensure that the activities and policies of other organizations with security and intelligence responsibilities align with Canada’s foreign policy objectives. Finally, the report highlights areas where the Department plays a leadership role in the government, including two recent case studies of terrorist hostage takings abroad.
The unanimous report includes five findings and four recommendations. The government agreed with all of NSICOP’s recommendations.
The Honourable David McGuinty, Chair of NSICOP, stated that: “This is the first external independent review of Global Affairs Canada’s national security and intelligence activities. The Committee believes that its recommendations will strengthen the Department’s role in the national security and intelligence community, enhance consultations with the Department of National Defence, and improve ministerial accountability. The Committee also hopes that its recommendations lead to the development of a whole of government approach to better respond to terrorist hostage takings abroad.”
The classified version of the report was delivered to the Prime Minister on June 27, 2022.
The report is available on the NSICOP website at https://www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca/reports/rp-2022-11-04/intro-en.html.
National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ Special Report on the National Security and Intelligence Activities of Global Affairs Canada Tabled in Parliament
OTTAWA, November 04, 2022 — The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ (NSICOP) Special Report on the National Security and Intelligence Activities of Global Affairs Canada (GAC, or the Department) was tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2022.
The report provides an overview of the nature and scope of the Department’s national security and intelligence activities. It examines the authorities under which the Department conducts those activities and how it governs them to support the accountability of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It also describes the structures the Department has in place to try to ensure that the activities and policies of other organizations with security and intelligence responsibilities align with Canada’s foreign policy objectives. Finally, the report highlights areas where the Department plays a leadership role in the government, including two recent case studies of terrorist hostage takings abroad.
The unanimous report includes five findings and four recommendations. The government agreed with all of NSICOP’s recommendations.
The Honourable David McGuinty, Chair of NSICOP, stated that: “This is the first external independent review of Global Affairs Canada’s national security and intelligence activities. The Committee believes that its recommendations will strengthen the Department’s role in the national security and intelligence community, enhance consultations with the Department of National Defence, and improve ministerial accountability. The Committee also hopes that its recommendations lead to the development of a whole of government approach to better respond to terrorist hostage takings abroad.”
The classified version of the report was delivered to the Prime Minister on June 27, 2022.
The report is available on the NSICOP website at https://www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca/reports/rp-2022-11-04/intro-en.html.
NSICOP’s report on government cyber defences tabled in Parliament
February 14, 2022
OTTAWA — The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ (NSICOP) Special Report on the Government of Canada’s Framework and Activities to Defend its Systems and Networks from Cyber Attack was tabled in Parliament on February 14, 2022.
The 127-page report describes the threat to government systems from malicious cyber actors; examines the evolution of the Government of Canada’s cyber defence policies and laws; assesses the roles and responsibilities of relevant government organizations; and examines relevant case studies where government systems were compromised in cyber attacks. The unanimous report includes four findings and two recommendations. The government agreed with all of NSICOP’s recommendations.
The Honourable David McGuinty, Chair of NSICOP, stated that, “The report is the first of its kind in Canada. It aims to help the government strengthen its cyber defence framework and ensure that the government is well-protected against cyber threats in the future.”
The classified version of the report was delivered to the Prime Minister on August 11, 2021.
The report is available on the NSICOP website at https://www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca/reports-rapports-en.html.
Prime Minister announces members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
January 20, 2022
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians for the 44th Parliament. The multi-party Committee includes representatives from both the House of Commons and the Senate. All recognized party leaders in the House of Commons and all leaders and facilitators in the Senate were consulted ahead of the appointments. The Leader of the Official Opposition chose not to recommend the participation of any Conservative Members of Parliament.
Chaired by the Honourable David J. McGuinty, P.C., Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, since its launch in 2017, the Committee uses a non-partisan approach to review national security and intelligence activities carried out across government to ensure that the legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative, and financial framework for national security and intelligence is sound. This includes activities undertaken by the Canada Border Services Agency, the Communications Security Establishment, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, Global Affairs Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, among many others.
With a focus on issues of accountability, efficacy, and democratic principles, the Committee provides the Prime Minister with an annual report, and special reports when needed. These reports, which include findings and recommendations, are then tabled by the Prime Minister in both the House of Commons and the Senate.
“National security and the protection of democracy are top priorities for the government, and that’s why the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians plays a key role to keep Canadians safe in a transparent manner while safeguarding the rights, values, and freedoms that define our way of life. Together, we will continue to work with Committee members and all parliamentarians to ensure the strength and accountability of our national security and intelligence community and its practices.”
Statement by the Hon. David McGuinty on his reappointment as Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
January 20, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new and returning members of the Committee. I look forward to working with them to continue the important work of providing a non-partisan approach to the review of national security and intelligence issues in Canada.
The Committee’s first priority will be to prepare for the tabling in Parliament of the 2021 Special Report on the Government of Canada’s cyber defence framework. The Committee will also continue its reviews of the national security and intelligence activities of Global Affairs Canada and of the federal policing mandate of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
We look forward to early engagement with senior officials in the security and intelligence community charged with keeping Canadians safe. We will also solicit the views of academics and civil liberties groups, whose perspectives on national security challenges are important for the Committee to hear.
On August 11, 2021, NSICOP submitted its Special Report to the Prime Minister. The Report made four findings and two recommendations. The Prime Minister must table declassified versions of the reports within 30 sitting days following the resumption of Parliament.
NSICOP was established under the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act on June 22, 2017. It may review:
After a general election, the members of the Committee are to be appointed within 60 days after the day on which Parliament is summoned to sit. All NSICOP members hold the highest level of security clearance, are bound by the Security of Information Act and meet in private.
Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
[email protected]
Prime Minister announces new members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians
June 15, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario
The Government of Canada continues to do everything it can to keep communities safe. Canadians can count on our country’s national security and intelligence agencies to respond to threats while ensuring that their work protects the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced five new members of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. With these new appointments, all seats on the Committee are now full.
Chaired by the Honourable David J. McGuinty since its launch in 2017, this multi-party Committee includes representatives from both the House of Commons and the Senate. It provides a non-partisan approach to the review of national security and intelligence activities carried out across the Government of Canada. This includes activities undertaken by the Canada Border Services Agency, the Communications Security Establishment, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, among many others.
The Committee provides the Prime Minister with an annual report, and special reports when needed. The reports, which include findings and recommendations, are tabled in both the House of Commons and the Senate.
Quote
“Security and intelligence must be synonymous with transparency and accountability. Together, parliamentarians on the Committee will continue to play an essential role in ensuring that our national security and intelligence community is held accountable for its practices, and that it has the tools needed to keep Canadians safe.”
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
Associated Link
The 2020 Annual Report of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) was tabled in Parliament today, Monday, April 12, 2021.
The 47-page report presents an update to the national security threat assessment first included in the Committee’s 2018 Annual Report. This overview examines the most significant threats, including terrorism, espionage and foreign interference, cyber threats, major organized crime, and weapons of mass destruction.
The Honourable David McGuinty, Chair of NSICOP, stated that “the Committee’s report represents the latest comprehensive summary of the major threats to Canada’s national security in a period of heightened global instability.”
The classified version of the report was delivered to the Prime Minister on December 18, 2020.
After tabling, the report will be available on the NSICOP website at https://www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca/reports-rapports-en.html.
Intelligence Review: Parl. Committee Releases 1st Annual Report
At a news conference in Ottawa, Liberal MP David McGuinty, chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, and Rennie Marcoux, executive director of the committee’s secretariat, discuss the findings contained in their first annual report. The committee, which is comprised of both MPs and senators, reviews all government activities related to security and intelligence. The federal government first announced its intention to create such a committee in June 2016 and announced its initial membership in November 2017.
https://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/headline-politics/episodes/65967559/
Intelligence Review Committee Releases 2019 Reports
At a news conference in Ottawa, Liberal MP David McGuinty, chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, and Rennie Marcoux, executive director of the committee’s secretariat, discuss the findings contained in the committee’s annual reports for 2019. The committee, which is comprised of both MPs and senators, reviews all government activities related to security and intelligence. (March 12, 2020)
https://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/headline-politics/episodes/66169845/
https://www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca/index-en.html
I am honoured to be re-appointed as Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians has a broad mandate to review Canada’s national security and intelligence organizations.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the new and returning members of the Committee. I look forward to working with them to continue the important work of providing a non-partisan approach to the scrutiny of national security and intelligence issues in Canada.
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act mandates the Committee to review:
Committee members come from both Houses of Parliament. All hold Top Secret security clearances and are permanently bound to secrecy under the Security of Information Act. Members swear an oath or solemn affirmation indicating that they will obey and uphold the laws of Canada, and not communicate or inappropriately use information obtained in confidence as part their responsibilities on the Committee. On this basis, members are able to receive classified briefings and materials related to the conduct of the Committee’s work.
The Committee does not receive or deal with public complaints against national security and intelligence organizations.
Reports
The Committee must submit to the Prime Minister an Annual Report that includes the reviews conducted in the preceding year. The Committee may also complete a Special Report on any matter related to its mandate, at any time. The Prime Minister of Canada tables the Committee’s reports in both Houses of Parliament.
https://www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca/reports-rapports-en.html
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