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- Section 2. C. Foreign and domestic arrangements
Annual Report 2007-2008 - An Operational Review of CSIS Activities
Section 2: CSIS operational activities and accountability mechanisms
C. Foreign and domestic arrangements
Sections 13 and 17 of the CSIS Act allow CSIS to enter into arrangements with foreign and domestic organizations or agencies in order to perform its duties and functions. SIRC receives copies of these arrangements as they are initiated, and examines a selection of them every year.
Arrangements with domestic agencies
CSIS often collaborates with federal departments and agencies, provincial governments and law enforcement agencies. Since 9/11, more groups have been involved in national security, including police forces and other government partners. This creates a challenge for the Service, as it must cultivate and maintain healthy relationships with both new and existing partners to ensure that information is exchanged efficiently and that joint operations are conducted effectively.
Although many domestic arrangements take the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), CSIS may collaborate with any domestic agency whether or not an MOU is in place.
As of March 31, 2008, CSIS had 39 MOUs with domestic partners: 29 with federal departments or agencies and 10 with provincial and municipal entities.
In 2007-08, SIRC examined the Service’s arrangement with Transport Canada, focusing on the Service’s contribution of security screening information in support of two of that department’s programs: the Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program and the Passenger Protect Program. Transport Canada is responsible for ensuring that Canadian aviation, marine, railway and road transportation systems are safe, efficient and accessible.
With respect to the Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program, SIRC found that, although this program is not yet fully operational, CSIS has worked collaboratively with Transport Canada to reduce the risk of security threats by conducting background checks on marine workers who have access to certain areas or perform certain duties. In terms of the Passenger Protect Program, SIRC found that CSIS has worked effectively with Transport Canada (along with the RCMP, which also contributes to the program) to ensure that individuals placed on the so-called “no-fly list” do pose a demonstrable threat to aviation security, and that decisions to place individuals on this list are based on clearly defined criteria.
More information about these programs can be found on Transport Canada’s website (www.tc.gc.ca).
Arrangements with foreign agencies
As of March 31, 2008, CSIS had 276 arrangements with agencies in 147 countries. New foreign arrangements require the approval of the Minister of Public Safety, in consultation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Even without such an arrangement, CSIS can still accept unsolicited information from an agency or organization of a foreign country. The Minister approved five new arrangements in 2007-08 and expanded three existing ones.
In 2007-08, SIRC examined foreign arrangements that had been restricted by the Service because of concerns relating to a country’s or agency’s human rights record, reliability, or ability to protect information provided by the Service. In general, restricted arrangements prevent CSIS from sharing operational information with an agency, although this does not prevent the Service from receiving unsolicited information concerning Canada’s safety and security from a restricted agency.
SIRC found that CSIS adhered to its self-imposed restrictions with the agencies in question. SIRC also found that the Service performed well in terms of balancing the need to collect vital security intelligence information, while remaining aware of the potential problems of dealing with a restricted agency.