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Chair’s Message

I am pleased to submit the Security Intelligence Review Committee's Report on Plans and Priorities for 2012-13.

For more than a quarter of a century, the Security Intelligence Review Committee has been an integral component of the democratic accountability of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) by ensuring that it acts appropriately, effectively and lawfully in protecting Canada's national security.

In fiscal year 2012-13, the Security Intelligence Review Committee will continue to conduct in-depth reviews of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s activities and will continue to promote discussion of security intelligence review. Planning highlights for 2012-13 include hosting an international conference, the International Intelligence Review Agencies Conference 2012. This conference will help to ensure that the Security Intelligence Review Committee remains current with recent developments in security intelligence and that the Security Intelligence Review Committee will continue to fulfill its responsibilities, as outlined in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act.

It is with a great sense of pride and responsibility that the Security Intelligence Review Committee conducts ongoing, independent reviews of CSIS's operations and activities. I trust that this year's Report on Plans and Priorities will provide readers with further insight into Security Intelligence Review Committee's mandate to ensure that CSIS investigates and reports on threats to national security in a manner that respects the rule of law and the rights of Canadians.

 

Section I: Organizational Overview

Raison d’être and Responsibilities

The Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC or the Committee) is a small, independent, external review body that reports to the Parliament of Canada on the operations of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS or the Service). SIRC was established in 1984, at the same time as CSIS, and derives its powers from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act (CSIS Act).

Parliament has authorized CSIS to gather intelligence in the interests of protecting national security. SIRC ensures that these powers are used appropriately and in accordance with the law, in order to protect Canadians' rights and freedoms. To do this, SIRC examines past operations of the Service and investigates complaints. It has the authority to examine all information concerning CSIS activities, no matter how sensitive and highly classified that information may be. The results of this work, redacted to protect national security and personal privacy, are summarized in its Annual Report to Parliament.

Strategic Outcome and Program Activity Architecture

Strategic Outcome

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) carries out its mandate to investigate and report on threats to national security in a manner that respects the rule of law and the rights of Canadians.

Program Activity

• Complaints
• Reviews
• Internal Services

Organizational Priorities

Priority	Type1	Strategic Outcome
Continual improvement for reviews.	Ongoing	The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) carries out its mandate to investigate and report on threats to national security in a manner that respects the rule of law and the rights of Canadians.
Description
Why is this a priority? Continual improvement of SIRC’s review process is vital to the fulfillment of its mandate. Plans for meeting the priority In 2012-13, SIRC will: host an international conference, the International Intelligence Review Agencies Conference 2012; continue to rely on thematic reviews in order to maximize its ability to assess a broader range of CSIS activities; and enhance its research methodology by engaging with academics and experts in the security intelligence field.

Priority	Type	Strategic Outcome
Continual improvement for complaints.	Ongoing	The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) carries out its mandate to investigate and report on threats to national security in a manner that respects the rule of law and the rights of Canadians.
Description
Why is this a priority? Continual improvement of SIRC’s process for investigating complaints is central to the fulfillment of its mandate. Plans for meeting the priority In 2012-13, SIRC will: continue to ensure that complaints are investigated in a timely manner; and continue to assist new members of SIRC in presiding over fair, efficient and timely hearings.

Risk Analysis

The security intelligence community has witnessed many changes over the past eleven years. The challenges arising from these changes have been most visible in the O’Connor, Iacobucci and Major Commissions of Inquiry, in the engagement of the courts in national security issues, and in a number of landmark judicial decisions.

In 2012-13, SIRC will continue to adapt its operations to the rapid pace of change in the security intelligence environment. In particular, SIRC's review function will continue to evolve in response to changes in CSIS’s operations and activities.

In 2012-13, SIRC will also continue to address important developments in security intelligence. For example, in 2012, the Federal Court heard two judicial review applications concerning SIRC’s jurisdiction to consider Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the course of its investigations. The rulings in these cases could have significant impacts on SIRC’s investigations of complaints.

Planning Summary

Financial Resources (thousands of dollars)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
2,534	2,534	2,534

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
16	16	16

Strategic Outcome: The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) carries out its mandate to investigate and report on threats to national security in a manner that respects the rule of law and the rights of Canadians.

Performance Indicators	Targets
Number of reviews/complaint investigations that assessed whether CSIS activities were appropriate, effective and in compliance with the CSIS Act, Ministerial Direction and operational policy.	No major incidents of non-compliance by CSIS.

Planning Summary Table

Program Activity	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending			Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
		2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Reviews	1,281	1,136	1,136	1,136	Strong and independent democratic institutions.
Complaints	746	939	939	939	Strong and independent democratic institutions.
Total Planned Spending	2,027	2,075	2,075	2,075

Planning Summary Table

Program Activity	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending
		2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Internal Services	787	459	459	459
Total Planned Spending	787	459	459	459

Expenditure Profile

Departmental Spending Trend

[D]

In 2011-12, SIRC was involved in two judicial reviews. Additionally, SIRC initiated a review of its Rules of Procedures for Complaints in 2011-12. Both processes required the organization to retain expert outside counsel, which resulted in increased spending in 2011-12. 

SIRC anticipates staffing reductions in fiscal years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. This explains the decrease in Planned Spending for these years.

Estimates by Vote

For information on our organizational appropriations, please see the 2012-13 Main Estimates publication.

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