Canadian Security Intelligence Service

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service ( CSIS ) or Service Canadien de Renseignement de Sécurité ( SCRS ) is the main civilian intelligence agency of the Canadian government. Its headquarters is in Ottawa.

History

Prior to 1984, the news service was not separated from the police authorities. First forerunner organization with intelligence activities was the Western Frontier Constabulary, which was founded in 1864 as a unit of Dominion Police. After the founding of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1920 this became the remit of espionage and security. Following the extension of the activities during the Cold War and the threat of terrorist Front de libération du Québec recommended in 1969 and 1977 two commissions appointed by the government to separate the intelligence from the police. Through the CSIS Act of 1984, the new intelligence service was established.

Tasks

Task of CSIS is to ensure through preventive intelligence measures, the national security of Canada and its citizens. This includes collecting and analyzing information about threats that international cooperation with intelligence agencies of allied countries, reporting to the Canadian government, the processing of security questions related to persons in safety-critical areas of activity of the government or immigration applicants and public education work for defense against industrial espionage.

In detail, the following tasks:

  • Counter -terrorism ( Counter-Terrorism )
  • Counter- proliferation
  • Counter -intelligence ( counterintelligence )
  • Security screening ( security preservation )
  • Environmental scanning

CSIS works closely with foreign partners, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Legal basis

The most important statutory basis for the Messenger service is the CSIS Act of 1984. Therein its tasks shall be defined and limited to measures to avert national security risks. The control of CSIS is made by the Minister of Public Safety Canada, which is responsible to the Parliament, as well as the Inspector General and the Security Intelligence Review Committee ( SIRC ) to oversee the activities of CSIS, handle complaints and largely have access to all information. Intrusive monitoring measures must be approved by the Federal Court. Once a year, the Parliament is informed by the Annual Statement on National Security of the Minister, and the public through the CSIS Public Report.

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