Annual Report 2001-2002 - An Operational Audit of CSIS Activities

Section 3: Accountability Mechanisms

A. Policy and Governance Frameworks

GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL REGULATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

As set out in section 8(4) of the CSIS Act, the Governor in Council may issue any regulations to the Service in regard to the powers and duties of the Director of CSIS, as well as the conduct and discipline of Service employees. No such regulations were issued during 2001–2002.

2001–2002 NATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITY INTELLIGENCE

National Requirements contain general direction from government about where CSIS should focus its investigative efforts, as well as guidance on the Service's collection, analysis and advisory responsibilities. The 2001–2002 National Requirements were generally similar to those of preceding years; however, several alterations seemed to reflect certain shifts in the government's concerns.

Specific changes that drew the Committee's attention were:

• The list of groups identified as threats to national security for investigation by the CSIS Counter Terrorism Program was altered slightly and now specifically includes Sunni Islamic extremism.
• An entirely new section addressing Intelligence Liaison has been added, giving renewed emphasis to the importance of maintaining an intelligence network that is as wide as possible.

MINISTERIAL DIRECTION

Under section 6(2) of the CSIS Act, the Minister can issue directions governing CSIS's activities and investigations. No new directions were issued in the year under review.

CHANGES IN CSIS OPERATIONAL POLICY

The Committee reviewed 4 new operational policies issued by the Service in 2001–2002 and 14 separate amendments to 9 existing CSIS operational policies.

Of the four new operational policies issued in the past year, the first focused on the Service's investigative activities and operational assistance outside Canada.

The second related to joint operations and operational assistance with foreign agencies in Canada. Both policies were created to accord with recent Ministerial Direction.

The third new policy dealt with the investigative techniques used by the Service to acquire intelligence or assessments. It prescribes the process for authorization and other matters necessary to advance Service objectives under the CSIS Act. The fourth policy concerned events of an urgent or unpredictable nature which constitute a threat to the security of Canada or which necessitate support to allies under threat.

With respect to the 14 separate amendments, the existing policies covered areas such as targeting, general conduct of operations and co-operation with CIC.

The Committee found that both the new and revised policies conformed to the CSIS Act and Ministerial Direction.