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Annual Report 2008-2009 - Accountability in a New Era of Security Intelligence
About this Report
SIRC provides assurances to Parliament—and through it, to Canadians—that CSIS investigates and reports on threats to national security in a manner that respects the rule of law and the rights of Canadians.
The CSIS Act gives SIRC full access to any information under the control of the Service. As a result, SIRC may examine all of CSIS’s files and all of its activities—no matter how highly classified that information may be. The sole exception is Cabinet confidences (e.g., written and oral communications that contribute to the collective decision-making of Ministers).
This annual report summarizes SIRC’s key analyses, findings and recommendations arising from its reviews and complaints investigations. It has three sections:
Section 1: The year in review
An analysis of prominent developments within the security intelligence milieu, and of how these relate to select findings and recommendations by SIRC from the past year.
Section 2: Summaries of SIRC reviews and complaints
A synopsis of reviews completed by SIRC as well as the complaint reports it has issued during the period covered by this report.
Section 3: SIRC at a glance
Details about the outreach, liaison and administrative activities of SIRC, including its annual budget and expenditures.
A new look for SIRC's annual report
As part of SIRC’s ongoing efforts to understand and report on new challenges and responsibilities in security intelligence in Canada, a revised layout has been developed for the organization’s annual report. Key elements of these changes include:
MORE IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS FROM SIRC
The revised SIRC report explores the changing environment in which security intelligence operates. This includes observations about key trends and challenges that CSIS will need to address in the coming years.
EASY ACCESS TO FACTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This report features a revised layout to help you find the facts and information you’re looking for, including: recommendations made during the review period and important information on the Committee.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT IT
Look for the caption boxes throughout this report. These contain valuable background information on various legal- and policy-related matters regarding SIRC’s review and complaints functions.