The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) has delivered to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers a special report regarding the Government of Canada’s cyber defence framework.

The classified report details four findings and two recommendations. It examines the evolution of the Government of Canada’s cyber defence framework; assesses the role and responsibilities of relevant government organizations, including the Communications Security Establishment, the Treasury Board Secretariat and Shared Services Canada; and, examines relevant case studies.

The Chair of the Committee, the Hon. David McGuinty, recognized the cooperation of the officials and organizations called by the Committee, and those providing documents fundamental to the Committee’s review.

“Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials adapted to changed practices and an almost entirely virtual classified format, continuing to offer the cooperation that has been a feature of the Committee since its inception. We remain grateful for their expertise, which is critical to our work,” Mr. McGuinty said.

In accordance with section 21(2) of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act, the Committee has provided the Prime Minister and relevant ministers with the special report. The Prime Minister will now consider whether there is any information in the report, the disclosure of which would be injurious to national security, national defence or international relations, or constitutes solicitor-client information. Section 21(6) of the NSICOP Act requires that the Prime Minister table a declassified version of the report within 30 sitting days of the resumption of Parliament. Until then, its contents remain classified.

Background:

NSICOP was established under the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act on June 22, 2017. It may review:

• the legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative and financial framework for national security and intelligence;
• any activity carried out by a department 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 that a minister of the Crown refers to the Committee.

NSICOP members hold the highest level of security clearance, are bound by the Security of Information Act and meet in private.