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Departmental Plan: 2024-2025

Plans at a glance

A departmental plan describes a department’s priorities, plans and associated costs for the upcoming three fiscal years.

  • Vision, mission, raison d’etre and operating context
  • Minister’s mandate letter

Key priorities

In 2024–25, the NSIRA Secretariat’s top priorities are to

  • support NSIRA Members in undertaking professional, independent reviews of Canada’s national security and intelligence activities;
  • support NSIRA Members in conducting independent investigations of national security and intelligence public complaints;
  • provide transparency about our work; and
  • continue to strengthen our domestic and international partnerships.

Refocusing Government Spending

In Budget 2023, the government committed to reducing spending by $14.1 billion over the next five years, starting in 2023–24, and by $4.1 billion annually after that.

While not officially part of the government spending reduction exercise, the NSIRA Secretariat will respect the spirit of this exercise by

  • critically considering the need for contractors, and
  • identifying work that can be done in-house or deferred, if required.

NSIRA remains committed to managing spending with prudence and probity and that resources are used effectively, and efficiently to achieve organizational objectives. 

Highlights

A Departmental Results Framework consists of an organization’s core responsibilities, the results it plans to achieve, and the performance indicators that measure progress toward these results.

National security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations

Departmental results:

NSIRA reviews Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable, and necessary. The Agency also investigates complaints from members of the public on the activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as certain other national security-related complaints, independently and in a timely manner.

The NSIRA Secretariat supports the Agency in the delivery of its mandate. Independent scrutiny contributes to strengthening the accountability framework for national security and intelligence activities and to enhancing public confidence. Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable, and necessary.

See GC InfoBase for the full framework and program inventory.

Planned spending: $10,852,987

Planned human resources: 69

Support to national security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations: The NSIRA Secretariat will support the Agency as it ensures institutions’ accountability and enhances public confidence. This will involve conducting transparent and timely investigations into complaints related to national security or intelligence activities and the denial of security clearances.

Throughout 2024–25, the NSIRA Secretariat will support and conduct the Agency’s current reviews and initiate new reviews as per its Forward Review Plan. It will also conduct the Agency’s mandated annual reviews under the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act and annual reviews of CSIS and CSE activities.

For more information on the NSIRA Secretariat’s plans, see the “Plans to deliver” section of this plan.

More information about National security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations can be found in the full departmental plan.

Date of Publishing:

From the Executive Director

This Departmental Plan describes the priorities and goals for the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) Secretariat in 2024–25. Our work is fundamentally anchored by our role in supporting the Agency’s mandate to undertake independent, expert review and investigation of the Government of Canada’s national security and intelligence activities.

Since the Agency’s inception in 2019, the NSIRA Secretariat has worked to establish a professional workforce and the supporting infrastructure, processes, and policies needed to carry out its mandate. Our approaches have matured as we have taken time for deep internal reflection and to consult with our domestic and international partners. Combined with the growing willingness of the national security community to genuinely accept and adjust to our mandate, we are now well positioned to leverage what we have learned and confidently advance our work as a world-recognized review body. In so doing, we will continue to work towards NSIRA’s vision of an accountable, transparent, and effective national security and intelligence community that upholds the rule of law.

In 2024–25, the Secretariat will continue to improve the quality of our working environment to attract and retain an exceptional workforce. We recognize that prioritizing the physical and mental well-being of our employees, and continuing to advance diversity and inclusion, are important aspects of becoming an employer of choice. We have taken steps to implement meaningful action in the coming year. NSIRA is well positioned to take on new and exciting challenges in the year ahead. I would like to thank both Secretariat staff and NSIRA Members, whose ongoing professionalism and dedication to our important work continues to be the force behind our past and future success.

John Davies
Executive Director
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat

Plans to deliver on core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibilities and internal services:

  • National security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations
  • Internal services

National security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations

Description

NSIRA reviews Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable, and necessary. The Agency investigates complaints from members of the public regarding activities of CSIS, CSE, and the national security activities of the RCMP, as well as certain other national security-related complaints.

The NSIRA Secretariat supports the Agency in the delivery of this mandate. The resulting independent scrutiny contributes to the strengthening of the framework of accountability for national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions and enhancing public confidence.

Quality of life impacts

NSIRA’s core responsibility relates most closely to the indicator ‘confidence in institutions’, within the ‘democracy and institutions’ sub domain and under the overarching domain of ‘good governance’.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to national security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024–25.

Table 1: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result “Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable, and necessary”

Indicator 2020–21 result 2021–22 result 2022–23 result Target Date to achieve
All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis N/A 100% 100% 100% completion of mandatory reviews  December 2022
Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year N/A 100% 100% At least one national security or intelligence activity is reviewed in at least five departments or agencies annually December 2022
All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three- year period N/A 33% 33% 100% completion over three years; at least 33% completed each year December 2022

Table 2: Indicators, results, and targets for departmental result “National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner”

Indicator 2020–21 result 2021–22 result 2022–23 result Target Date to achieve
Note: NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019. Actual results for 2020–21 are not available because the new Departmental Results Framework was being developed during the transition of the Security Intelligence Review Committee into the establishment of NSIRA. The new framework is for measuring and reporting on results achieved starting in 2021–22; in 2022–23, NSIRA finalized service standards on the time required to complete its investigations (effective April 1, 2023). The results will be included in the next Departmental Results Report.
Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards N/A N/A N/A 90% – 100% March 2024

The financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

Support to NSIRA reviews

The NSIRA Secretariat will continue to support the Agency’s current, ongoing reviews and new reviews from the Forward Review Plan throughout 2024–25. This will include supporting the annual reviews of CSIS and CSE activities, to provide responsible Ministers and the Canadian public with an assessment of these institutions’ activities, including their lawfulness, reasonableness, and necessity.

In 2024–25, the NSIRA Secretariat will continue to be informed and guided by the knowledge acquired through reviews of departments and agencies (reviewees) to date. As it becomes increasingly familiar with reviewees’ organizational structures, networks, policies, and activities, and able to apply such information to subsequent reviews, it will leverage this knowledge to ensure these institutions’ national security and intelligence activities are reviewed from a strongly informed position of independence. The NSIRA Secretariat will also continue to support reviews focused on crosscutting, horizontal issues that span multiple reviewees, with a goal of fully leveraging NSIRA’s authority in this regard.

In addition to conducting its mandated annual reviews in 2024-25, the NSIRA Secretariat will lead the development of a new review plan that is timely, topical, and responsive. The Forward Review Plan involves evaluating proposals for new reviews against an established matrix of criteria. The criteria represent the considerations or aspects that NSIRA deems to be the most important and relevant to the issues and topics it addresses through its discretionary reviews. The outcome will be a prioritized list of new reviews that will be undertaken once the existing reviews are completed. In this way, the NSIRA Secretariat will continue to support NSIRA Members in executing their responsibilities and exercising their authority under the NSIRA Act.

Support to NSIRA complaints investigations

In 2024–25, the NSIRA Secretariat will support the Agency in ensuring institutions’ accountability and enhancing public confidence by conducting transparent and timely investigations into complaints related to national security and the denial of security clearances. NSIRA’s independent investigation of complaints plays a critical role in maintaining public access to justice.

In the coming year, the NSIRA Secretariat will apply its rules of procedure, which were first implemented in 2021, to promote accessibility, timeliness, and efficiency in the Agency’s investigation of complaints. This includes an informal resolution process that has proven successful in resolving complaints that do not need to proceed e to formal investigation process.

The NSIRA Secretariat will further implement the Agency’s new service standards for the investigation of complaints, which were created in 2022–23 and effective as of April 1, 2023.

Transparency

The NSIRA Secretariat will continue to proactively publish unclassified versions of all Agency review reports. It will engage reviewees in a timelier manner on release approvals and aim to publish redacted reports on the NSIRA website shortly after these reports are provided to reviewees and their respective Ministers, leveraging processes developed during the previous year.

Partnerships

Participation

In 2024–25, the NSIRA Secretariat will build on its ongoing partnership efforts from the previous year. It will continue its participation in the Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council, which brings together review agency representatives from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Engagement

The NSIRA Secretariat will also continue to support multilateral and bilateral engagement with other like-minded European and international partners. Such participation and engagement will include ongoing working-level visits and exchanges. This work will support NSIRA’s interest in benefiting from, and contributing to, the sharing of best practices with the broader review and oversight community. The NSIRA Secretariat will also continue to build on recent efforts to foster collaborative relationships with other domestic review bodies and civil society groups.

Key risks

The NSIRA Secretariat has made progress on accessing the information required to conduct reviews; however, there continues to be risks associated with reviewees’ ability to respond to, and prioritize, information requests, hindering NSIRA’s ability to deliver its review plan in a timely way. The NSIRA Secretariat will continue to mitigate this risk by providing clear communication related to information requests, tracking their timely completion within communicated timelines, and escalating issues when appropriate.

Snapshot of planned resources in 2024–25
  • Planned spending: $18,575,110
  • Planned full-time resources: 100

In 2024–25, the NSIRA Secretariat will continue to implement its three-year action plan on human rights, accessibility, employment equity, diversity, and inclusion. It first put this plan into effect during fiscal year 2022–23, following a maturity assessment of its policies, programs, and practices, and the Call to Action from the Clerk of the Privy Council. It includes, among many components, incorporating a gender-based analysis plus lens into the design and implementation of the NSIRA Secretariat’s policies and programs.

Employee self-identification data, which was first collected by the NSIRA Secretariat in 2023–2024 (further to the establishment of a special program under the Canadian Human Rights Act), will continue to inform the NSIRA Secretariat’s activities in the year ahead and better position it to:

  • prevent, eliminate, or reduce disadvantages and barriers that are experienced by any group of individuals based on, or related to, prohibited grounds of discrimination;
  • identify gaps in representation, to implement recruitment and retention measures aimed at not only achieving but retaining a diverse workforce and maintaining an inclusive work environment;
  • leverage the value of diverse peoples and perspectives in its work; and
  • identify meaningful opportunities for employee engagement in keeping with its overall commitment to human rights, accessibility, employment equity, diversity, and inclusion.

NSIRA’s Forward Looking Review Plan continues to be informed by considerations related to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion. These considerations apply to the process of selecting reviews to be undertaken, as well as to the analysis that takes place during individual reviews. NSIRA reviews routinely take into account the potential for national security or intelligence activities to result in disparate outcomes for various communities, and will continue to do so in the year ahead.

In 2024–25, in the context of complaint investigations, the NSIRA Secretariat will continue to support the Agency as it works with the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) to develop strategies for the collection, analysis, and use of identity-based data. Following the completion of a joint study, it will focus on assessing how some recommendations can be implemented for the collection, analysis, and use of identity-based data in relation to the NSIRA and CRCC mandates.

The NSIRA Secretariat will also continue to implement its Accessibility Plan, which outlines the steps that will be taken to increase accessibility within the organization and for all Canadians over the next two years. In addition, its Diversity, Inclusion, and Employment Equity Advisory Committee will continue to work with management and staff to build a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace and workforce. This will include organizing discussions and learning events with all staff and providing advice on policy and program design.

In the year ahead, the NSIRA Secretariat will also develop and implement a pay equity plan, as required by the Pay Equity Act. Closing any identified gender pay gap is essential to advancing gender equality and fostering a workplace driven by inclusivity and fairness.

Program inventory

National security and intelligence reviews and complaints investigations are supported by the following program in the program inventory:

  • National security and intelligence activity reviews and complaints investigations.

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to NSIRA’s program inventory is available on GC Infobase.

Internal services

Description

Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:

  • management and oversight services
  • communications services
  • human resources management services
  • financial management services
  • information management services
  • information technology services
  • real property management services
  • materiel management services
  • acquisition management services

Plans to achieve results

In 2024–25, the NSIRA Secretariat will continue to take steps to ensure resources are deployed in the most effective and efficient manner possible, and its operations and administrative structures, tools, and processes continue to focus on supporting the delivery of its priorities.

The NSIRA Secretariat recognizes the need to be an inclusive, healthy, and flexible employer. Over the coming year, it will continue to encourage flexible working arrangements, such as teleworking, to achieve work–life balance and meet performance expectations.

In the coming year, the NSIRA Secretariat’s office footprint, with modern and flexible workstations in the classified and non-classified realm, is expected to be completed. The project has been pushed back to a summer 2024 delivery date due to its complexity, supply chain challenges, and compliance requirements.

The NSIRA Secretariat also continues to implement security controls and keeps its Security Plan and Business Impact Analysis evergreen, to ensure resiliency over time. In addition, based on the NSIRA Secretariat’s Information Management plans and strategies developed last fiscal year, it has identified the tools and resources required to execute the plans and strategies over the coming years.

Snapshot of planned resources in 2024-25
  • Planned spending: $7,722,123
  • Planned full-time resources: 31
Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

The NSIRA Secretariat is among the final wave of departments and agencies that are to achieve the mandatory minimum target of contract awards to Indigenous businesses by 2024–25. Efforts are already well underway in support of the Government of Canada’s commitment which requires that an annual, mandatory minimum target of five percent of the total value of contracts be awarded to Indigenous businesses.

In 2021-22, the NSIRA Secretariat exceeded its plan to reach two percent of total contract values awarded to Indigenous business, and achieved three percent, as shown in Table 3. Measures undertaken by the NSIRA Secretariat to facilitate the achievement of the mandatory minimum target by 2024–25 include a commitment to process an increasing minimum number of contracts in each of the following three fiscal years, as set-asides under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business.

Table 3: Progress toward target for contracts with Indigenous businesses

5% reporting field description 2021–22 actual % achieved 2022–23 actual % achieved 2023–24 planned % target 2024–25 planned % target
Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses 3% 3% 3% 5%

Planned spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of NSIRA’s planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and compares planned spending for 2024–25 with actual spending from previous years.

Spending

Table 4: Actual spending summary for core responsibilities and internal services ($ dollars)

The following table shows information on spending for each of NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Amounts for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on spending to date.

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2020–21 actual expenditures 2021–22 actual expenditures 2022–23 forecast spending
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 7,394,642 7,756,271 9,516,920
Subtotal 7,394,642 7,756,271 9,516,920
Internal Services 9,895,112 10,532,876 10,799,513
Total 17,289,754 18,289,147 20,316,433

Table 5: Budgetary planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)

The following table shows information on spending for each of NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the upcoming three fiscal years.

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2024–25 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2024–25 planned spending 2025–26 planned spending 2026–27 planned spending
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 10,852,987 10,852,987 10,852,051 10,852,051
Subtotal 10,852,987 10,852,987 10,852,051 10,852,051
Internal Services 7,722,123 7,722,123 7,758,034 7,758,034
Total 18,575,110 18,575,110 18,610,085 18,610,085

Funding

Figure 1: Departmental spending 2021–22 to 2026–27

The following graph presents planned spending (voted and statutory expenditures) over time.

Departmental spending trend graph
  2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26 2026–27
Statutory 1,176,321 1,300,166 1,513,580 1,764,845 1,766,593 1,766,593
Voted 16,113,433 16,988,981 18,802,853 16,810,265 16,843,492 16,843,492
Total 17,289,754 18,289,147 20,316,433 18,575,110 18,610,085 18,610,085

Peak spending was reached in 2023–24 with the inclusion of the majority of construction project expenditures. The NSIRA Secretariat will move to steadier state of spending in 2024–25.

Estimates by vote

Information on NSIRA’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2024–25 Main Estimates.

Future-oriented condensed statement of operations

The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of NSIRA’s operations for 2023–24 to 2024–25.

The forecast and planned amounts in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The forecast and planned amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

A more detailed future-oriented statement of operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, are available at NSIRA’s website.

Table 6: Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ending March 31, 2025 (dollars)

Financial information 2023–24 Forecast results 2024–25 Planned results Difference (2024–25 planned results minus 2023–24 Forecast results)
Total expenses 18,786,869 20,400,691 1,613,823
Total revenues 0 0 0
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 18,786,869 20,400,691 1,613,823

Human resources

Table 7: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services

The following table shows a summary of human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on year to date. 

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2021–22 actual full time equivalents 2022–23 actual full time equivalents 2023–24 forecast full time equivalents
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 52 53 69
Subtotal 52 53 69
Internal Services 22 25 31
Total 74 78 100

Given the NSIRA secretariat continues to be a growing organization, the increase of 4 FTEs is reasonable year over year. The organization plans to continue to grow towards 100 FTEs through various recruitment and retention programs.

Table 8: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services

The following table shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for each of NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services planned for 2024–25 and future years.

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2024–25 planned full time equivalents 2025–26 planned full time equivalents 2026–27 planned full time equivalents
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 69 69 69
Subtotal 69 69 69
Internal Services 31 31 31
Total 100 100 100

With a tight labour market and the requirement for a significant portion of employees to work primarily from secure office space, recruitment continues to prove challenging. New recruitment and retention programs will help the NSIRA secretariat in its ongoing efforts to be fully staffed.

Corporate Information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Institutional head: John Davies, Executive Director
Ministerial portfolio: Privy Council Office
Enabling instrument: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act
Year of incorporation / commencement: 2019

Organizational contact information

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Telephone: The phone number is temporarily disabled
Fax: The fax number is temporarily disabled.
Emailinfo@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca
Websitewww.nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Supplementary information tables

Information on NSIRA’s departmental sustainable development strategy can be found on NSIRA’s website

Federal tax expenditures

NSIRA’s Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.

Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures.

This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and gender-based analysis plus.

Appendix: definitions

appropriation (crédit)

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3‑year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.

departmental priority (priorité)

A plan or project that a department has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired departmental results.

departmental result (résultat ministériel)

A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

A framework that connects the department’s core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

A report on a department’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

experimentation (expérimentation)

The conducting of activities that seek to first explore, then test and compare the effects and impacts of policies and interventions in order to inform evidence-based decision-making, and improve outcomes for Canadians, by learning what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Experimentation is related to, but distinct from innovation (the trying of new things), because it involves a rigorous comparison of results. For example, using a new website to communicate with Canadians can be an innovation; systematically testing the new website against existing outreach tools or an old website to see which one leads to more engagement, is experimentation.

full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person‑year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full‑time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person’s collective agreement.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])

An analytical process used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people experience policies, programs and services based on multiple factors including race ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2020–21 Departmental Results Report, those high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2019 Speech from the Throne, namely: Fighting climate change; Strengthening the Middle Class; Walking the road of reconciliation; Keeping Canadians safe and healthy; and Positioning Canada for success in an uncertain world.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

An initiative where two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement)

What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an organization, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement)

The process of communicating evidence‑based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.

plan (plan)

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

program (programme)

Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all the department’s programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department’s core responsibilities and results.

result (résultat)

A consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the organization’s influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

target (cible)

A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.

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Departmental Plan: 2023-2024

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Cat. Number: PS106-6E-PDF
ISSN: 2563-0334

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2020

Date of Publishing:

From the Executive Director

It is my pleasure to present the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) 2023–24 Departmental Plan. This report provides an overview of NSIRA’s planned activities, priorities, and targeted outcomes for the 2023–24 fiscal year.

Throughout NSIRA’s first three years of operation, we have grown our staff complement, developed expertise in alignment with our broad mandate, and completed numerous high-quality reviews and complaint investigations. NSIRA has also developed and revised the processes that guide work on both aspects of our mandate, with a view to continuously improving the quality of our final products.

In 2023–24, we will implement NSIRA’s renewed forward review plan, which will build upon and expand our subject matter expertise with respect to both the core security and intelligence agencies, and those which are newer to review. This includes further developing NSIRA’s capacity to review the technological elements of national security and intelligence activities.

Over the year ahead, NSIRA will establish new service standards for the investigation of complaints, while continuing to apply the existing rules of procedure. This will support timely and efficient investigations and promote access to justice for complainants.

Throughout the upcoming fiscal year, we will continue to focus on maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and prioritizing the well-being of our workforce. We will continue work to establish a permanent second site, place heightened emphasis on post-graduate recruitment, and continue to implement a flexible approach to hybrid work. In doing so, we will continue to advance departmental priorities related to diversity and inclusion, and to implement our agency accessibility plan.

My sincere thanks go to the staff and members of NSIRA, whose commitment and dedication to success will drive our organization forward over the coming year.

John Davies
Executive Director

Plans at a glance

Over the coming year, NSIRA will continue its ambitious review agenda. This will include:

  • mandatory reviews related to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act and Governor in Council directions under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act;
  • reviews prompted by previous reviews that identified high-risk activities or significant issues that require follow-up;
  • reviews of activities undertaken under the new authorities granted to government institutions under the National Security Act, 2017; and
  • reviews of activities where technology and the collection of data are central features.

NSIRA will also continue to expand its knowledge of departments and agencies not previously subject to expert review, including through the conduct of interagency reviews.

After an extensive consultation exercise with key stakeholders and the development of new rules of procedures in 2021, NSIRA will also focus on implementing its new model for investigating complaints. The agency’s goal is to continue enhancing access to justice for complainants and to ensure that NSIRA investigates complaints in a timely manner.

Employee development, health and well-being continue to be key to the agency’s success. NSIRA’s suite of initiatives to protect the physical and mental health of its employees will rely on up-to-date information from surveys and internal discussion groups. NSIRA will also continue to take action on broad federal public service objectives for pay and employment equity, as well as those relating to diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

For more information on NSIRA’s plans, see the “Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks” section of this plan.

Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks

This section contains information on the department’s planned results and resources for each of its core responsibilities. It also contains information on key risks related to achieving those results.

National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

Description

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency reviews Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable and necessary. It investigates complaints from members of the public regarding activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), or the national security activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as certain other national security-related complaints. This independent scrutiny contributes to the strengthening of the framework of accountability for national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions and supports public confidence in this regard.

Planning highlights

Reviews

In support of this outcome, NSIRA will continue to implement an ambitious review agenda in 2023–24. It will review the activities of CSIS and CSE to provide responsible ministers and the Canadian public with an informed assessment of these activities, including their lawfulness, reasonableness and necessity. NSIRA will also build on the knowledge it has acquired of departments and agencies, such as the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. Using that knowledge, NSIRA will ensure these organizations’ national security or intelligence activities are independently reviewed. NSIRA is committed to transcending the silos that have characterized national security review, and will “follow the thread” of an activity between agencies to ensure its assessments reflect the complex and interwoven approach Canada takes to national security.

NSIRA is committed to ensuring its review agenda remains responsive and topical. In 2023–24 in order to inform the upcoming review of the National Security Act, 2017, NSIRA will focus on the review of activities performed under authorities that were granted by virtue of this legislation. For CSIS, these include the collection and use of datasets, and the implementation of a framework for justifying activities that contravene the law that are carried out by designated employees under specific circumstances in the context of their duties and functions. For CSE, this will include the conduct of active and defensive cyber operations. Other NSIRA reviews that will contribute information in this regard are the annual reviews of the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act, of the Governor in Council directions under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act, and of the use of measures by CSIS to reduce threats to the security of Canada.

NSIRA will continue to expand its knowledge of national security institutions by undertaking reviews in the areas of terrorist financing, foreign interference and cybersecurity. The agency will fully utilize its authorities to follow the thread of information across multiple organizations by undertaking reviews on CSIS-CSE collaboration, and the use of human sources by various departments and agencies.

Finally, NSIRA will focus on select reviews where the review of technology and data flows are central, including the collection and use of open-source intelligence at the Department of National Defence, the lifecycle of information collected under warrant by CSIS, and the retention practices of signals intelligence by CSE. NSIRA will be leveraging both internal and external technology expertise in conducting these reviews.

Outreach and collaboration

NSIRA will engage with community stakeholders to understand their concerns surrounding national security and intelligence activities. NSIRA will also continue to proactively publish unclassified versions of its reports throughout the year, as well as information on its plans and processes. The annual report will continue to summarize NSIRA’s review findings and recommendations in context, situating these elements within a broader discussion of key trends and challenges NSIRA has observed over the year.

In 2023–24, NSIRA will continue to draw on the close relationships it has established with the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. The agency will coordinate its activities to ensure review is efficient and comprehensive, and avoids unnecessary duplication of effort.

NSIRA is also developing close ties to its international equivalents. It will continue its participation in the Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council (FIORC) that brings together review agency representatives from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, by hosting this annual conference in 2023. In addition, NSIRA will continue its working-level engagement with FIORC review bodies to discuss topics of common interest, such as the impacts of new technology, the investigation of complaints from the public and access to information in the possession of reviewed departments. NSIRA also intends to build on its recent efforts to foster new collaborative relationships with other international review bodies and civil society outside the Five Eyes.

Complaints investigations

In 2023–24, NSIRA will also continue to ensure institutions’ accountability and enhance public confidence by conducting consistent, and timely investigations into complaints related to national security and to denial of security clearances. The independent investigation of complaints plays a critical role in maintaining public confidence in Canada’s national security institutions.

NSIRA will apply its new rules of procedure, which were implemented in 2021, to promote accessibility, timeliness and efficiency in the investigation of complaints. This includes an informal resolution process that has proven successful in resolving complaints that do not need to proceed through the entire investigation process. Finally, NSIRA will establish new service standards for the investigation of complaints.

Gender-based analysis plus

In 2023–24, NSIRA will continue to implement its three-year action plan on human rights, accessibility, employment equity, diversity and inclusion. This plan was put into effect last fiscal year following a maturity assessment of NSIRA’s policies, programs and practices, and following the Call to Action from the Clerk of the Privy Council. It includes, among other things, incorporating a GBA+ lens into the design and implementation of policies and programs.

NSIRA’s renewed forward looking review plan is informed by considerations related to anti-racism, equity and inclusion. These considerations apply to the process of selecting reviews to undertake, as well as to the analysis that takes place within individual reviews. NSIRA reviews routinely take into account the potential for national security or intelligence activities to result in disparate outcomes for various communities and will continue to do so in the year ahead.

In the complaint investigations context, NSIRA will continue to work with the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) to develop strategies for the collection, analysis and use of identity-based data. Following the completion of the first phase of a joint project, focus in the year ahead will be on consultations to determine how the public perceives the collection, analysis and use of identity-based data in relation to the NSIRA and CRCC mandate. This information will enable each agency to determine the best approach to developing and implementing an identity-based data strategy.

In 2023-24, NSIRA will begin to implement its inaugural accessibility plan, which outlines the steps that will be taken to increase accessibility, both within the organization and for Canadians more generally, over the next three years. NSIRA’s Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Advisory Committee will also continue to work with management and staff to build a more equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace and workforce. This will include organizing discussions and learning events with all staff, and providing advice on policy and program design

Innovation

Some high impact innovations have enriched NSIRA’s approach to investigations and reviews in the areas of project architecture, quality assurance and the promotion of timeliness in its investigations. Some examples include a horizontal and tiered Quality Assurance Framework. This framework involves a form of ‘red teaming’, in which a panel of experts highlights the weaknesses of a project approach at critical junctures, with the goal of heading off problems before they happen This will ensure the review reflects the agency’s standards for independence, consistency, clarity, objectivity, and rigour. NSIRA is also adopting a matrix management approach to assembling review project teams that will ensure internal mobility and the development of horizontal expertise. NSIRA’s overall commitment is to refrain from a static approach to workflow and project management, and to embrace new methodologies and organizational principles when they best promote the production of review reports of exceptional quality.

Key risks

Some high impact innovations have enriched NSIRA’s approach to investigations and reviews in the areas of project architecture, quality assurance and the promotion of timeliness in its investigations. Some examples include a horizontal and tiered Quality Assurance Framework. This framework involves a form of ‘red teaming’, in which a panel of experts highlights the weaknesses of a project approach at critical junctures, with the goal of heading off problems before they happen This will ensure the review reflects the agency’s standards for independence, consistency, clarity, objectivity, and rigour. NSIRA is also adopting a matrix management approach to assembling review project teams that will ensure internal mobility and the development of horizontal expertise. NSIRA’s overall commitment is to refrain from a static approach to workflow and project management, and to embrace new methodologies and organizational principles when they best promote the production of review reports of exceptional quality.

Planned results for National Security and Intelligence Activity Reviews and Complaints Investigations

The following table shows, for National Security and Intelligence Activity Reviews and Complaints Investigations, the planned results, the result indicators, the targets and the target dates for 2023–24, and the actual results for the three most recent fiscal years for which actual results are available.

Departmental results Departmental result indicator Target Date to achieve target 2019–20 actual result 2020–21 actual result 2021–22 actual result
Note: NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019. Actual results for 2019–20 and 2020–21 are not available because the new Departmental Results Framework in the changeover from the Security Intelligence Review Committee to NSIRA was being developed. This new framework is for measuring and reporting on results achieved starting in 2021–22. In 2022–23, NSIRA will finalize the development of service standards for how long it takes to complete its investigations; the results will be included in the next Departmental Results Report.
Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis 100% completion of mandatory reviews December 2022 Not applicable (N/A) N/A 100%
Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year At least one national security or intelligence activity is reviewed in at least five departments or agencies annually December 2022 N/A N/A 100%
All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three- year period 100% completion over three years; at least 33% completed each year December 2022 N/A N/A 33%
National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards Between 90% and 100% March 2024 N/A N/A N/A

The financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Planned budgetary spending for National Security and Intelligence Activity Reviews and Complaints Investigations

The following table shows, for National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations, budgetary spending for 2023–24, as well as planned spending for that year and for each of the next two fiscal years.

2023–24 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2023–24 planned spending 2023–24 planned spending 2024–25 planned spending
10,807,324 10,807,324 10,807,324 10,806,338

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Planned human resources for National Security and Intelligence Activity Reviews and Complaints Investigations

The following table shows, in full‑time equivalents, the human resources the department will need to fulfill this core responsibility for 2023–24 and for each of the next two fiscal years.

2023–24 planned full-time equivalents 2024–25 planned full-time equivalents 2025–26 planned full-time equivalents
69.0 69.0 69.0

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Internal Services: planned results

Description

Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:

  • Management and Oversight Services
  • Communications Services
  • Legal Services
  • Human Resources Management Services
  • Financial Management Services
  • Information Management Services
  • Information Technology Services
  • Real Property Management Services
  • Materiel Management Services
  • Acquisition Management Services

Planning highlights

In 2023–24, NSIRA continue to take steps to ensure resources are deployed in the most effective and efficient manner possible and that its operational and administrative structures, tools and processes continue to enhance its ability to deliver on its priorities.

The tight labour market and the distinctive competencies required for NSIRA’s mandate will continue to shape NSIRA priorities in 2023–24, including employee development through seminars and increased participation in national and international forums, the use of internal centres of expertise, and improved leveraging of existing review and investigation information to accelerate and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge. NSIRA will also be able to benefit from recently released external recruitment and internal development programs undertaken within the organization.

The health and well-being of NSIRA employees is key to its success and to its ability to attract and retain talent and for the development of employees’ full potential. To that end, NSIRA has hired a dedicated resource to work with NSIRA’s Champions to accelerate the implementation of its diversity, inclusion, accessibility, mental health and employee development priorities. Using recent survey information and all staff meeting discussions, NSIRA is confident that it will be able to adapt its wellness initiatives to the need of its employees.

Lastly, the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the ability to source goods and services combined with the complexity of some projects has further delayed the completion of NSIRA’s accommodation, infrastructure and systems projects. These enabling investments are now projected to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2023–24.

Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

NSIRA is part of the final wave of departments and agencies that are to achieve the mandatory minimum target of contract awards to Indigenous businesses by 2024–25. Efforts are already well under way in support of the Government of Canada’s commitment that a mandatory minimum target of 5% of the total value of contracts is awarded to Indigenous businesses annually. NSIRA had planned to have 2% of total contract values awarded to Indigenous business in 2021–22 and achieved 3%. Measures undertaken within NSIRA to facilitate the achievement of the mandatory minimum target by 2024–25 include a commitment to process an increasing minimum number of contracts in each of the following three fiscal years as set-asides under the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business.

The following table shows the percentage of actual, forecasted and planned value for the target.

5% reporting field description 2021–22 actual % achieved 2022–23 forecasted % target 2023–24 planned % target 2024–25 planned % target
Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses 3% 2% 3% 5%

Planned budgetary financial resources for Internal Services

The following table shows, for internal services, budgetary spending for 2023–24, as well as planned spending for that year and for each of the next two fiscal years.

2023–24 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2023–24 planned spending 2024–25 planned spending 2025–26 planned spending
12,201,901 12,201,901 7,701,607 7,737,518

Planned human resources for Internal Services

The following table shows, in full‑time equivalents, the human resources the department will need to carry out its internal services for 2023–24 and for each of the next two fiscal years.

2023–24 planned full-time equivalents 2024–25 planned full-time equivalents 2025–26 planned full-time equivalents
31.0 31.0 31.0

Planned spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of the department’s planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and compares planned spending for 2023–24 with actual spending for the current year and the previous year.

Planned spending

Departmental spending 2020–21 to 2025–26

The following graph presents planned (voted and statutory) spending over time.

Departmental spending trend graph
  2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26
Statutory 962,186 1,176,321 1,360,985 1,755,229 1,755,229 1,756,977
Voted 11,289,189 16,113,433 19,348,025 21,253,996 16,753,702 16,786,929
Total 12,251,375 17,289.754 20,709.010 23,009,225 18,508,931 18,543,906

Fiscal years 2020–21 and 2021–22 show actual expenditures as reported in the Public Accounts, while 2022–23 presents the forecast for the current fiscal year. Fiscal years 2023–24 to 2025–26 present planned spending.

The 2021–22 spending of $17.3 million increased by $5.0 million (41%), compared with 2020–21. The increase is mainly explained by the cost of additional resources hired by NSIRA over that period, by an increase in professional services costs, and by the start of facilities fit-up and expansion projects. Forecast spending in 2022–23 is higher than 2021–22 spending by $3.4 million (20%), primarily due to continued growth in personnel and by investments in facilities, infrastructure and systems.

Spending is expected to increase by $2.3 million (11%) in 2023–24 compared with 2022–23. This planned increase is mainly due to a reprofile of funding to align with the timing of the conduct projects for facilities, infrastructure and systems that had been delayed by the pandemic. Spending is expected to decrease by $4.5 million (20%) in 2024–25, mainly due to the expected completion of the office expansion project in 2023–24. Spending in 2024–25 and 2025–26 is expected to remain relatively unchanged.

Budgetary planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services (dollars)

The following table shows information on spending for each of NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for 2023–24 and other relevant fiscal years.

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2020–21 actual expenditures 2021–22 actual expenditures 2022–23 forecast spending 2023–24 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2023–24 planned spending 2024–25 planned spending 2025–26 planned spending
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 5,607,796 7,394,642 8,472,193 10,807,324 10,807,324 10,807,324 10,806,388
Subtotal 5,607,796 7,394,642 8,472,193 10,807,324 10,807,324 10,807,324 10,806,388
Internal Services 6,643,579 9,895,112 12,236,817 12,201,901 12,201,901 7,701,607 7,737,518
Total 12,251,375 17,289,754 20,709,010 23,009,225 23,009,225 18,508,931 18,543,906

The table illustrates how NSIRA continues to grow its capacity to deliver its mandate through recruitment and the implementation of several facilities, infrastructure and systems projects. Planned accommodation, infrastructure and systems project costs are expected be reduced significantly by 2024–25.

Planned human resources

The following table shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents, for each of NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for 2023–24 and the other relevant years.

Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2020–21 Actual full-time equivalents 2021–22 Actual full-time equivalents 2022–23 Forecast full-time equivalents 2023–24 Planned full-time equivalents 2024–25 Planned full-time equivalents 2025–26 Planned full-time equivalents
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 17.5 37.8 53.3 69.0 69.0 69.0
Subtotal 17.5 37.8 53.3 69.0 69.0 69.0
Internal Services 11.2 21.7 25.9 31.0 31.0 31.0
Total 28.7 59.5 79.2 100.0 100.0 100.0

With a tight labour market and the requirement for a significant portion of employees to work primarily from secure office space, recruitment continues to prove challenging. New recruitment and retention programs will help NSIRA in its ongoing efforts to be fully staffed.

Estimates by vote

Information on NSIRA’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2023–24 Main Estimates.

Future-oriented condensed statement of operations

The future‑oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of NSIRA’s operations for 2022–23 to 2023–24.

The forecast and planned amounts in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The forecast and planned amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

A more detailed future‑oriented statement of operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, are available on NSIRA’s website.

Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ending March 31, 2024 (dollars)

Financial information 2022–23 Forecast results 2023–24 Planned results Difference (2023–24 planned results minus 2022–23 Forecast results)
Total expenses 18,549,572 23,599,775 5,050,203
Total revenues
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 18,549,572 23,599,775 5,050,203

The difference between the 2023–24 planned results and 2022–23 forecast results is mostly explained by delayed planned accommodation, infrastructure and systems project costs.

Corporate Information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Institutional head: John Davies, Executive Director
Ministerial portfolio: Privy Council Office
Enabling instrument: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act
Year of incorporation / commencement: 2019

Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

Information on NSIRA’s raison d’être, mandate and role is available on NSIRA’s website.

Operating context

Information on the operating context is available on NSIRA’s website.

Reporting framework

NSIRA’s approved departmental results framework and program inventory for 2023–24 are as follows

Core Responsibility: National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations
Departmental Results Framework Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary Indicator: All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis Internal Services
Indicator: Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year
Indicator: All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three-year period
National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner Indicator: Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards
Program Inventory Program: National security and intelligence activity reviews and complaints investigations

Supporting information on the program inventory

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources and results related to NSIRA’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on NSIRA‘s website.

  • Gender-based analysis plus

Federal tax expenditures

NSIRA’s Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.

Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government­‑wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and gender-based analysis plus.

Organizational contact information

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Telephone: The phone number is temporarily disabled
Fax: The fax number is temporarily disabled.
Email: info@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca
Website: www.nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Appendix: definitions

appropriation (crédit)

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3‑year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.

departmental priority (priorité)

A plan or project that a department has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired departmental results.

departmental result (résultat ministériel)

A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

A framework that connects the department’s core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

A report on a department’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

experimentation (expérimentation)

The conducting of activities that seek to first explore, then test and compare the effects and impacts of policies and interventions in order to inform evidence-based decision-making, and improve outcomes for Canadians, by learning what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Experimentation is related to, but distinct from innovation (the trying of new things), because it involves a rigorous comparison of results. For example, using a new website to communicate with Canadians can be an innovation; systematically testing the new website against existing outreach tools or an old website to see which one leads to more engagement, is experimentation.

full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person‑year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full‑time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person’s collective agreement.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])

An analytical process used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people experience policies, programs and services based on multiple factors including race ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2020–21 Departmental Results Report, those high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2019 Speech from the Throne, namely: Fighting climate change; Strengthening the Middle Class; Walking the road of reconciliation; Keeping Canadians safe and healthy; and Positioning Canada for success in an uncertain world.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

An initiative where two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement)

What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an organization, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement)

The process of communicating evidence‑based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.

plan (plan)

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

program (programme)

Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all the department’s programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department’s core responsibilities and results.

result (résultat)

A consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the organization’s influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

target (cible)

A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.

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Departmental Plan: 2022-2023

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Cat. Number: PS106-6E-PDF
ISSN: 2563-0334

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2020

Date of Publishing:

From the Executive Director

I am pleased to present the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) 2022–23 Departmental Plan. This report outlines our planned activities, priorities and targeted outcomes for the 2022–23 fiscal year.

Over the past two years, NSIRA has focused on ensuring a successful and efficient transition to a much larger organization with a much broader mandate, while working on standardization and modernizing the processes that underpin our work. The agency has also increased its size and strengthened its technical and subject matter expertise.

In 2022–23, we will be implementing NSIRA’s renewed three-year review plan, which continues to emphasize reviews of increasing scale and complexity as we become familiar with the operations of departments and agencies that have only recently become subject to review. This includes reviewing activities taken under authorities granted by the National Security Act, 2017, and those that are technology- and data-collection–centric.

In the upcoming year, we will continue implementing our new process launched in 2021 for taking in and investigating complaints from members of the public. NSIRA consulted multiple key stakeholders in shaping this new process, which aims to provide greater accessibility and greater timeliness to our complaints investigation function.

As we continue to scale up our operations in 2022–2023, our priority will remain the health and safety of our staff. Some of our planned initiatives include expanding to a second site, recruiting staff across all business lines, and supporting staff and NSIRA members. Moreover, while building on our successes and pursuing ambitious organizational goals, we will maintain our focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including developing an employment equity strategy.

I would like to thank the staff and members of NSIRA. They are dedicated, resilient and committed to excellence. I look forward to continuing to work with them to develop and grow the NSIRA of the future.

John Davies
Executive Director

Plans at a glance

Over the coming year, NSIRA will continue its ambitious review agenda. This will include:

  • mandatory reviews related to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act and Governor in Council directions under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act;
  • reviews of activities undertaken under the new authorities granted to government institutions under the National Security Act, 2017; and
  • reviews of activities where technology and the collection of data are central features.

NSIRA will also continue to expand its knowledge of departments and agencies not previously subject to expert review, including through the conduct of interagency reviews.

After an extensive consultation exercise with key stakeholders and the development of new rules of procedures in 2021, NSIRA will also focus on implementing its new model for investigating complaints. Our goal is to enhance access to justice for complainants and to ensure that NSIRA investigates complaints in a timely manner.

Employee health and well-being are key to the agency’s success. In that regard, NSIRA will continue to take steps to protect the physical and mental health of its employees and help address stresses caused by the pandemic. NSIRA will focus on the implementation of initiatives aimed at improving workplace and employee well-being as well as meeting federal public service objectives for employment equity, diversity and inclusion.

For more information on NSIRA’s plans, see the “Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks” section of this plan.

Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks

This section contains information on the department’s planned results and resources for each of its core responsibilities. It also contains information on key risks related to achieving those results.

National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

Description

NSIRA reviews Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable and necessary. It investigates complaints from members of the public regarding activities of CSIS, CSE or the national security activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as certain other national security-related complaints. This independent scrutiny contributes to the strengthening of the framework of accountability for national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions and supports public confidence in this regard.

Planning highlights

Reviews

In support of this outcome, NSIRA will continue to implement an ambitious review agenda in 2022–23. It will review the activities of CSIS and CSE to provide responsible ministers and the Canadian public with an informed assessment of these activities, including their lawfulness, reasonableness and necessity. NSIRA will also build on the knowledge it has acquired of departments and agencies, such as the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. Using that knowledge, NSIRA will ensure these organizations’ national security or intelligence activities are independently reviewed. NSIRA is committed to transcending the silos that have characterized national security review , and will “follow the thread” of an activity between agencies to ensure its assessments reflect the complex and interwoven approach Canada takes to national security.

NSIRA is committed to ensuring its review agenda remains responsive and topical. In 2022–23, in order to inform the upcoming review of the National Security Act, 2017, NSIRA will focus on the review of activities performed under authorities that were granted by virtue of this legislation. For CSIS, these include the collection and use of datasets, and the implementation of a framework for justifying activities that contravene the law that are carried out by designated employees under specific circumstances in the context of their duties and functions. For CSE, this will include the conduct of active and defensive cyber operations. Other NSIRA reviews that will contribute information in this regard are the annual reviews of the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act, of the Governor in Council directions under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act, and of the use of measures by CSIS to reduce threats to the security of Canada.

NSIRA will continue to expand its knowledge of national security institutions by undertaking reviews in the areas of terrorist financing, foreign interference and cybersecurity. The agency will fully utilize its authorities to follow the thread of information across multiple organizations by undertaking reviews on CSIS-CSE collaboration, the efforts of both CSIS and the RCMP to address threats posed by ideologically motivated violent extremists, and the use of human sources by various departments and agencies.

Finally, NSIRA will focus on select reviews where the review of technology and data flows are central, including the collection and use of open-source intelligence at the Department of National Defence, the lifecycle of information collected under warrant by CSIS, and the retention practices of signals intelligence by CSE. NSIRA will be leveraging both internal and external technology expertise in conducting these reviews.

Outreach and collaboration

NSIRA will continue to engage with community stakeholders to understand their concerns surrounding national security and intelligence activities. NSIRA will also continue to proactively publish unclassified versions of its reports throughout the year, as well as information on its plans and processes. The annual report will continue to summarize NSIRA’s review findings and recommendations in context, situating these elements within a broader discussion of key trends and challenges NSIRA has observed over the year. NSIRA will finish a full update of its review process and procedures, and work with reviewed entities in applying them to all reviews that are starting or in early stages.

In 2022–23, NSIRA will continue to draw on the close relationships it has established with the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. The agency will coordinate its activities to ensure review is efficient and comprehensive, and avoids unnecessary duplication of effort.

NSIRA is also developing close ties to its international equivalents. It will continue its participation in the Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council (FIORC) that brings together review agency representatives from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. NSIRA will participate in the FIORC annual conference in the fall of 2022. In addition, NSIRA will participate in FIORC working groups, which aim to meet regularly at the working level to discuss topics of common interest, such as the impacts of new technology, the investigation of complaints from the public and access to information in the possession of reviewed departments. NSIRA also intends to renew its efforts to foster new collaborative relationships with other international review bodies.

Complaints investigations

In 2022–23, NSIRA will also strengthen institutions’ accountability and enhance public confidence by ensuring consistency, quality and timeliness in investigating national security–related complaints. The independent investigation of complaints plays a critical role in maintaining public confidence in Canada’s national security institutions. In 2022–23, NSIRA will continue to offer an informal resolution process to complement the investigative process to respond to complaints. NSIRA will apply its new rules of procedure to promote accessibility, timeliness and efficiency in the investigation of complaints. Finally, NSIRA will establish new service standards for the investigation of complaints.

Gender-based analysis plus

In 2022–23, NSIRA’s Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Advisory Committee will examine and provide advice on its internal policies, programs and procedures, as well as its external service delivery model through the lens of inclusion, diversity and equity.

From a program delivery perspective, NSIRA is working closely with its partner, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP, to develop strategies for the collection, analysis and use of race-based and demographic data in the context of the complaints process. The objectives of this initiative are to improve access to justice by improving awareness and understanding of the investigation process. The intent is also to document the different racial groups among civilian complainants and determine:

  • whether there are significant racial disparities;
  • whether there are racial differences with respect to the types of complaints made against national security agency members based on different groups;
  • the frequency of complaints that include allegations of racial or other forms of bias;
  • whether complaint investigation outcomes vary by racial group; and
  • whether civilian satisfaction with NSIRA’s investigation process also varies by racial group.

NSIRA’s program of planned and ongoing reviews also takes into account the potential for national security and intelligence activities to result in disparate outcomes for minority groups. Ongoing reviews of the Canada Border Services Agency’s targeting practices, as well as the use of biometrics in a national security and intelligence context, include specific considerations of the impacts of these activities on diverse communities.

From a corporate perspective, the Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Advisory Committee will also continue to engage with NSIRA’s personnel on issues related to systemic discrimination and racism through seminars and learning events. The intent is to continue to create an environment in which all employees feel comfortable and will not shy away from participating in discussions on issues related to anti-racism, diversity and inclusion.

As well, NSIRA is developing a self-identification process for its employees that will allow it to shape its staffing and employment equity strategies to increase representation and to ensure it reflects the diversity of the Canadian public, which it serves.

Experimentation

Given the functions and responsibilities of NSIRA, the organization does not engage in experimentation activities.

Key risks

NSIRA’s ability to access the information it needs to do its work and speak to the relevant stakeholders to understand policies, operations and ongoing issues is closely tied to the capacity of the organizations being reviewed to respond to NSIRA’s demands. The resource constraints of those organizations might continue to be compounded next year by disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This presents a risk of hindering NSIRA’s ability to deliver on its mandate in a timely way. NSIRA is mitigating this risk by ensuring clear communication about information requests and by setting review priorities.

The physical distancing precautions established by the COVID-19 pandemic will likely continue to be needed in 2022–23. While NSIRA invested in technology and adapted and expanded its office space to accommodate these requirements, the pandemic may still affect NSIRA’s ability to deliver on its mandate in a timely way and limit the frequency and type of outreach NSIRA can accomplish. The agency will continue to innovate and adapt to conduct its operations and, as necessary, engage virtually with stakeholders, departments and agencies.

Planned results for National Security and Intelligence Activity Reviews and Complaints Investigations

The following table shows, for National Security and Intelligence Activity Reviews and Complaints Investigations, the planned results, the result indicators, the targets and the target dates for 2022–23, and the actual results for the three most recent fiscal years for which actual results are available.

Departmental results Departmental result indicator Target Date to achieve target 2018–19 actual result 2019–20 actual result 2020–21 actual result
Note: Because NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019, there is no comparative information to provide for 2018–19. Actual results for 2019–20 are not available as the new Departmental Results Framework in the changeover from the Security Intelligence Review Committee to NSIRA was being developed. This new framework is for measuring and reporting on results achieved starting in 2021–22, thus no actual results can be reported for 2020–21 either.
Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis 100% completion of mandatory reviews December 2022 Not applicable (N/A) N/A N/A
Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year At least one national security or intelligence activity is reviewed in at least five departments or agencies annually December 2022 N/A N/A N/A
All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three- year period 100% completion over three years; at least 33% completed each year December 2022 N/A N/A N/A
National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards 90% March 2023 N/A N/A N/A

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Planned budgetary financial resources for assisting the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

2022–23 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2022–23 planned spending 2023–24 planned spending 2024–25 planned spending
10,756,818 10,756,818 10,757,687 10,757,687

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Planned human resources for assisting the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

2022–23 planned full-time equivalents 2023–24 planned full-time equivalents 2024–25 planned full-time equivalents
69.0 69.0 69.0

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Internal Services: planned results

Description

Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:

  • Management and Oversight Services
  • Communications Services
  • Legal Services
  • Human Resources Management Services
  • Financial Management Services
  • Information Management Services
  • Information Technology Services
  • Real Property Management Services
  • Materiel Management Services
  • Acquisition Management Services

Planning highlights

As it enters a third full year of operation, NSIRA will continue to take steps to ensure resources are deployed in the most effective and efficient manner possible and that its operational and administrative structures, tools and processes will continue to focus on supporting the delivery of its priorities.

NSIRA’s employees are the backbone of its operations. Because their health and well-being are key to the agency’s success, several initiatives geared toward improving workplace health and employee well-being will be an ongoing priority.

In an effort to attract and retain talent, NSIRA will further initiatives aimed at articulating NSIRA’s vision, values, culture and brand. The agency will work with employees to establish a hybrid workplace framework and talent/career management programs.

NSIRA has identified and publicly shared an action plan aimed at supporting the federal public service objectives for employment equity, diversity and inclusion. In 2022–23, the agency will accelerate its efforts on this front.

If not further delayed by the pandemic, NSIRA aims to complete its accommodation, infrastructure and systems investments in 2022–23 and initiate self-assessments of its compliance with central agencies’ policies and directives.

Planned budgetary financial resources for Internal Services

2022–23 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2022–23 planned spending 2023–24 planned spending 2024–25 planned spending
17,493,858 17,493,858 7,701,336 7,701,042

Planned human resources for Internal Services

2022–23 planned full-time equivalents 2023–24 planned full-time equivalents 2024–25 planned full-time equivalents
31.0 31.0 31.0

Planned spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of the department’s planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and compares planned spending for 2022–23 with actual spending for the current year and the previous year.

Planned spending

Departmental spending 2019–20 to 2024–24

The following graph presents planned (voted and statutory) spending over time.

Departmental spending trend graph
  2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Statutory 371,057 962,186 1,295,290 1,727,668 1,727,668 1,727,668
Voted 5,254,250 11,289,189 19,137,337 26,523,008 16,731,355 16,731,061
Total 5,625,250 12,251,375 20,432,627 28,250,676 18,435,987 18,458,729

Fiscal years 2019–20 and 2020–21 show actual expenditures as reported in the Public Accounts, while 2021–2022 presents the forecast for the current fiscal year. Fiscal years 2022–23 to 2024–25 present planned spending.

The 2020–21 spending of $12.2 million increased by $6.6 million (118%), compared to 2019–20. The increase is due to the fact that NSIRA was created in July 2019, which resulted in the actual expenditures for fiscal year 2019–20 reflecting only a partial year of spending. Forecast spending in 2021–22 is higher than 2020–21 spending by $8.2 million (67%), primarily due to growth in personnel and limited investments in accommodation, infrastructure and systems.

Spending is expected to increase by $7.8 million (38%) in 2022–23 compared to 2021–22. This planned increase is mainly due to a re-profile of funding to align to the conduct of projects delayed by the pandemic. Spending is expected to decrease by $9.8 million (35%) in 2023–24, mainly due to the expected completion of the office expansion project in 2022–23. Spending is expected to remain relatively unchanged in 2024–25 from 2023–4.

Budgetary planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services (dollars)

The following table shows information on spending for each of NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for 2022–23 and other relevant fiscal years.

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2019–20 actual expenditures 2020–21 actual expenditures 2021–22 forecast spending 2022–23 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2022–23 planned spending 2023–24 planned spending 2024–25 planned spending
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 3,009,066 5,607,796 8,074,229 10,756,818 10,756,818 10,757,687 10,757,687
Subtotal 3,009,066 5,607,796 8,074,229 10,756,818 10,756,818 10,757,687 10,757,687
Internal Services 2,616,241 6,643,579 12,358,398 17,493,858 17,493,858 7,701,336 7,701,042
Total 5,625,307 12,251,375 20,432,627 28,250,676 28,250,676 18,459,023 18,458,729

As NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019, the numbers for 2019–20 are for the reporting period of July 12, 2019, to March 31, 2020.

Planned human resources

The following table shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents, for each of NSIRA’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for 2022–23 and the other relevant years.

Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2019–20 Actual full-time equivalents 2020–21 Actual full-time equivalents 2021–22 Forecast full-time equivalents 2022–23 Planned full-time equivalents 2023–24 Planned full-time equivalents 2024–25 Planned full-time equivalents
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 17.5 37.8 53.3 69.0 69.0 69.0
Subtotal 17.5 37.8 53.3 69.0 69.0 69.0
Internal Services 11.2 21.7 25.9 31.0 31.0 31.0
Total 28.7 59.5 79.2 100.0 100.0 100.0

Over the course of 2019–20, funding for an additional 26 FTEs was received to account for NSIRA’s expanded mandate. It is expected that NSIRA will be at full capacity by the close of 2021–22 to fulfil its new mandate.

Estimates by vote

Information on NSIRA’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2022–23 Main Estimates.

Condensed future-oriented statement of operations

The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of NSIRA’s operations for 2021–22 to 2022–23.

The forecast and planned amounts in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The forecast and planned amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

A more detailed future-oriented statement of operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, are available on NSIRA’s website.

Future-oriented Condensed statement of operations for the year ending March 31, 2022 (dollars)

Financial information 2021–22 Forecast results 2022–23 Planned results Difference (2022–23 planned results minus 2021–22 Forecast results)
Total expenses 21,850,048 28,625,397 6,775,349
Total revenues
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 21,850,048 28,625,397 6,775,349

The difference between the 2022–23 planned results and 2021–22 forecast results is mostly explained by planned accommodation, infrastructure and systems project costs.

Corporate Information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Institutional head: John Davies, Executive Director
Ministerial portfolio: Privy Council Office
Enabling instrument: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act
Year of incorporation / commencement: 2019

Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

“Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do” is available on NSIRA‘s website.

Operating context

Information on the operating context is available on NSIRA’s website.

Reporting framework

NSIRA’s Departmental Results Framework, with accompanying results and indicators, is under development. Additional information on key performance measures will be included in the 2021- 22 Departmental Plan.

Graph: Reporting Framework - Text version follows
Core Responsibility: National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations
Departmental Results Framework Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary Indicator: All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis Internal Services
Indicator: Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year
Indicator: All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three-year period
National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner Indicator: Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards
Program Inventory Program: National security and intelligence activity reviews and complaints investigations

The changeover of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) to NSIRA required significant changes to the Departmental Results Framework, expected results and indicators. With NSIRA’s broader mandate, these changes now provide a framework for measuring and reporting on results achieved starting in 2021–22 and beyond.

Changes to the approved reporting framework since 2020-21

Structure 2020-21 2021-22 Change Reason for change
Total expenses Investigations of Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s (CSIS’s) operational activities National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations New Core responsibility New Departmental Results Framework
Programs Review of CSIS’s operations National security and intelligence activity reviews and complaints investigations New Program New Departmental Results Framework
Investigation of complaints against CSIS

Supporting information on the program inventory

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on NSIRA‘s website.

  • Gender-based analysis plus

Federal tax expenditures

NSIRA’s Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.

Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government­‑wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and gender-based analysis plus.

Organizational contact information

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Telephone: The phone number is temporarily disabled
Fax: The fax number is temporarily disabled.
Email: info@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca
Website: www.nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Appendix: definitions

appropriation (crédit)

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3‑year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.

departmental priority (priorité)

A plan or project that a department has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired departmental results.

departmental result (résultat ministériel)

A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

A framework that connects the department’s core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

A report on a department’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

experimentation (expérimentation)

The conducting of activities that seek to first explore, then test and compare the effects and impacts of policies and interventions in order to inform evidence-based decision-making, and improve outcomes for Canadians, by learning what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Experimentation is related to, but distinct from innovation (the trying of new things), because it involves a rigorous comparison of results. For example, using a new website to communicate with Canadians can be an innovation; systematically testing the new website against existing outreach tools or an old website to see which one leads to more engagement, is experimentation.

full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person‑year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full‑time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person’s collective agreement.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])

An analytical process used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people experience policies, programs and services based on multiple factors including race ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2020–21 Departmental Results Report, those high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2019 Speech from the Throne, namely: Fighting climate change; Strengthening the Middle Class; Walking the road of reconciliation; Keeping Canadians safe and healthy; and Positioning Canada for success in an uncertain world.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

An initiative where two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement)

What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an organization, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement)

The process of communicating evidence‑based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.

plan (plan)

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

program (programme)

Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all the department’s programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department’s core responsibilities and results.

result (résultat)

A consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the organization’s influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

target (cible)

A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.

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Departmental Plan: 2021-2022

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Cat. Number: PS106-6E-PDF
ISSN: 2563-0334

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2020

Date of Publishing:

From the Executive Director

I am very pleased to present the 2021–22 Departmental Plan for the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA). The year ahead will build on a very successful 2020–21, in which we achieved several key milestones for our new agency, despite the challenges imposed on us and the organizations we review as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021–22, we will be continuing to implement NSIRA’s three-year review plan, which emphasizes reviews of increasing scale and complexity as we become familiar with the operations of departments and agencies that have only recently become subject to review.

In the year ahead, we will also roll out a new process for taking in and investigating complaints from members of the public. Multiple key stakeholders will help to shape this new process, which aims to provide greater accessibility and greater timeliness to our complaints investigation function.

Significant efforts to scale up our operations will continue in 2021–22, including expanding to a second site, recruiting staff across all business lines, and continuing our support to staff working from home. In all aspects, we will continue to prioritize our staff’s health and safety as we build on our successes and pursue ambitious organizational goals. We will also continue to emphasize diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including developing an employment equity strategy.

More details on this and other initiatives are found in this report. I hope that it helps inform Canadians of NSIRA’s priorities for the year ahead.

John Davies
Executive Director

Plans at a glance

Over the coming year, NSIRA will continue its ambitious review agenda, based on the three-year review plan established in 2020–21. This will include mandatory reviews related to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act and Governor in Council directions under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act. NSIRA will also continue to expand the agency’s knowledge of departments and agencies not previously subject to expert review, including through the conduct of interagency reviews and by “following the thread” of activities from one agency to another. Of note, in 2021–22, NSIRA will continue its comprehensive review, announced in July 2020, to fully identify the systemic, governance and cultural shortcomings and failures that resulted in CSIS engaging in illegal activity and a related breach of candour to the Federal Court.

In 2021–22, NSIRA will also focus on implementing a new model for investigating complaints. This work will be rooted in the development of new rules of procedure, which will be implemented after consultation with key stakeholders in the year ahead. The goals of this process are to enhance access to justice for complainants and to ensure that NSIRA investigates complaints in a timely manner.

An important responsibility over the coming year will be further adapting operations to the conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a priority on maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. NSIRA will also emphasize employment equity, diversity and inclusion as a major corporate theme over the year ahead, including training staff on key concepts.

For more information on NSIRA’s plans, priorities and planned results, see the “Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks” section of this report.

Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks

This section contains detailed information on the department’s planned results and resources for each of its core responsibilities. It also contains information on key risks related to achieving those results.

National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

Description

NSIRA reviews Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable and necessary. It investigates complaints from members of the public regarding activities of CSIS, CSE or the national security activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as certain other national security–related complaints. This independent scrutiny contributes to the strengthening of the framework of accountability for national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions and supports public confidence in this regard.

Planning highlights

In support of this outcome, in 2021–22, NSIRA will implement an ambitious review agenda. It will continue to review the activities of CSIS and CSE to provide responsible ministers and the Canadian public with an informed assessment of these activities, including their lawfulness, reasonableness and necessity. NSIRA will also build on the knowledge it has acquired of departments and agencies, such as the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. Using that knowledge, NSIRA will ensure these organizations’ national security or intelligence activities are independently verified and assessed. NSIRA is committed to transcending the silos that have characterized national security review until now, and will “follow the thread” of an activity between agencies to ensure its assessments reflect the complex and interwoven approach Canada takes to national security.

In 2021–22, NSIRA will complete its review of the systemic, governance and cultural factors that led to CSIS engaging in illegal activity and breaching its duty of candour to the Federal Court. This review is being conducted jointly by two NSIRA members, the Honourable Marie Deschamps, a former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and Craig Forcese, a professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. This matter was referred to NSIRA by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Minister of Justice. NSIRA is confident its findings and recommendations will play a constructive role in ensuring that future national security activities reflect Canadians’ expectations of these fundamental institutions.

NSIRA is committed to ensuring its review agenda remains responsive and topical. In 2021–22, NSIRA will continue to engage with community stakeholders to understand their concerns surrounding national security and intelligence activities. NSIRA will ensure that matters of equity and non-discrimination are reflected in its review agenda. NSIRA’s work must also be accessible to the public and civil society. In 2021–22, NSIRA will increase its activities on Twitter and ensure that the agency’s processes, methodologies and findings are readily available on its website. NSIRA will proactively publish unclassified versions of its reports throughout the year. The annual report will continue to summarize NSIRA’s review findings and recommendations in context, situating these elements within a broader discussion of the key trends and challenges NSIRA has observed over the year.

In 2021–22, NSIRA will continue to draw on the close relationships it has established with the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. The agency will coordinate its activities to ensure review is efficient and comprehensive, and avoids unnecessary duplication of effort. NSIRA is also developing close ties to its international equivalents. It will host a conference in 2021–22 that will bring together review agency representatives from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to discuss artificial intelligence and other topics of common interest. NSIRA will also deploy multidisciplinary review teams in 2021–22, leveraging the integrated expertise of researchers, lawyers and technical experts right from the start. This will ensure NSIRA reviews reflect a sound understanding of many complex issues, and that the agency is equipped to provide clear, precise analysis of the impacts of new technology in an ever-changing national security environment.

In 2021–22, NSIRA will also strengthen institutions’ accountability and enhance public confidence by ensuring consistency, quality and timeliness in investigating national security–related complaints. The independent investigation of complaints plays a critical role in maintaining public confidence in Canada’s national security institutions. In 2021–22, NSIRA will continue to offer an informal resolution process to complement the investigative process to respond to complaints. NSIRA also developed new rules of procedure to ensure timeliness in the investigation of complaints. The ambition is to ensure access to justice. New service standards to be set in January 2021 will enable baseline measurements to be established in 2021–22.

Gender-based analysis plus

In 2021–22, NSIRA will undertake several initiatives related to employment equity, diversity and inclusion. Incorporating baseline data derived from employee self-identification, NSIRA will develop an employment equity strategy to increase representation and to ensure it reflects the diversity of the Canadian public, which it serves.

Training and learning events for staff on issues related to systemic discrimination will continue over the coming year. These activities will ensure a common understanding of key concepts and build a corporate culture that promotes the values of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Work will continue in 2021–22 to incorporate analysis of bias and discrimination into reviews and complaints investigations. NSIRA will also work with centres of excellence within the Government of Canada to enhance its understanding of how gender-based analysis plus concepts can be more formally integrated into its work.

Finally, NSIRA will build on outreach and engagement conducted over the past year to expand its range of stakeholder partnerships and learn more about concerns related to the differential impacts of national security and intelligence activities.

Key risks

NSIRA’s ability to access the information it needs to do its work and speak to the relevant stakeholders to understand policies, operations and ongoing issues is closely tied to the capacity of the organizations being reviewed to respond to NSIRA’s demands. The resource constraints of those organizations might continue to be compounded next year by disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This presents a risk of hindering NSIRA’s ability to deliver on its mandate in a timely way. NSIRA is mitigating this risk by ensuring clear communication about information requests and by setting review priorities.

The physical distancing precautions required by the COVID-19 pandemic might continue to be needed in 2021–22. This would limit employees’ access to NSIRA offices and to classified physical and electronic documents. Such restrictions could slow NSIRA’s ability to deliver on its mandate in a timely way and limit the frequency and type of outreach NSIRA can do in person. The pandemic also complicates the recruitment, on-boarding and training of new review staff. NSIRA is mitigating these risks by adapting its office space and investing in communications technology. It will continue to innovate to enable its operations and engage virtually with stakeholders, departments and agencies.

Departmental results Departmental result indicator Target Date to achieve target 2017-18 actual results* 2018-19 actual results* 2019-20 actual results*
*Because NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019, there is no comparative information to provide for 2017–18 and 2018–19. Actual results for 2019–20 are not available as the new Departmental Results Framework in the changeover from the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) to NSIRA was being developed. This new framework is for measuring and reporting on results achieved starting in 2021–22.
Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis 100% completion of mandatory reviews 2021-22 Not applicable (N/A) N/A N/A
Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year At least one national security or intelligence activity is reviewed in at least five departments or agencies annually 2021-22 N/A N/A N/A
All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three- year period 100% completion over three years; at least 33% completed each year 2021-22 N/A N/A N/A
National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards 90% 2021-22 N/A N/A N/A

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Planned budgetary financial resources for assisting the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

2021–22 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2021–22 planned spending 2022–23 planned spending 2023–24 planned spending
12,047,835 12,047,835 10,740,923 10,744,262

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Planned human resources for assisting the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

2021–22 planned full-time equivalents 2022–23 planned full-time equivalents 2023–24 planned full-time equivalents
69.0 69.0 69.0

It is expected that NSIRA will be at full capacity by the close of 2021–22 to fulfil its new mandate.

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Internal Services: planned results

Description

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of Programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct services that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. These services are:

  • Management and Oversight Services
  • Communications Services
  • Legal Services
  • Human Resources Management Services
  • Financial Management Services
  • Information Management Services
  • Information Technology Services
  • Real Property Management Services
  • Materiel Management Services
  • Acquisition Management Services

Planning highlights

A key priority in the coming year will be Internal Services support and leadership with respect to the development and implementation of effective employment equity, diversity and inclusion strategies.

NSIRA will also continue to leverage technologies and proven information management practices to increase the effectiveness of operations as the agency continues to operate under COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

The ability of NSIRA to continue its rapid increase in personnel will be contingent on effective Internal Services functions. As a result, over the coming year, NSIRA will continue to invest in and strengthen its frameworks for human resources management, information technology and security, and continue to implement its accommodation strategy.

Planned budgetary financial resources for Internal Services

2021–22 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2021–22 planned spending 2022–23 planned spending 2023–24 planned spending
18,147,084 18,147,084 15,386,717 7,691,725

Planned human resources for Internal Services

2021–22 planned full-time equivalents 2022–23 planned full-time equivalents 2023–24 planned full-time equivalents
31.0 31.0 31.0

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of the department’s planned spending and human resources for the next three consecutive fiscal years, and compares planned spending for the upcoming year with the current year’s spending.

Planned spending

Departmental spending 2018–19 to 2023–24

The following graph presents planned (voted and statutory) spending over time.

Departmental spending trend graph
2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
Statutory 0 371,057 1,056,362 1,704,632 1,704,632 1,704,632
Voted 0 5,254,250 16,662,479 28,490,287 24,423,008 16,731,355
Total 0 5,625,250 17,718,841 30,194,919 26,127,640 18,435,987

Because NSIRA was created in July 2019, the actual expenditures of fiscal year 2019–20 do not reflect a full fiscal year of spending. The increase from 2019–20 to 2020–21 is also explained by growth in personnel and the initiation of accommodation, infrastructure and systems investments that were delayed from the previous fiscal year.

Fiscal years 2021–22 to 2023–24 present planned spending based on approved authorities. The fluctuation in planned spending between fiscal year 2020–21 to 2023–24 is mainly explained by funds earmarked for the completion of accommodation, infrastructure and systems projects.

When compared with the Departmental Plan from the previous year, the change in planned spending for 2021–22 and 2022–23 is largely resulting from a reprofile of funding from 2019–20 to 2021–22 and 2022–23 to align funding with the delayed projects noted.

Planned spending for 2023–24 shows the ongoing financial authorities after completion of the office expansion project.

Budgetary planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services (dollars)

The following table shows actual, forecast and planned spending for NSIRA’s core responsibility and for Internal Services for the years relevant to the current planning year.

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2017–18 expenditures 2018–19 expenditures 2019–20 forecast spending 2020–21 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2020–21 planned spending 2021–22 planned spending 2022–23 planned spending
* Because NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019, there is no comparative information to provide for prior years. Numbers for 2019–20 are for the reporting period of July 12, 2019 – March 31, 2020.
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations N/A 3,009,066 6,716,166 12,047,835 12,047,835 10,740,923 10,744,262
Subtotal N/A 3,009,066 6,716,166 12,047,835 12,047,835 10,740,923 10,744,262
Internal Services N/A 2,616,241 11,002,675 18,147,084 18,147,084 15,386,717 7,691,725
Total N/A 5,625,307 17,718,841 30,194,919 30,194,919 26,127,640 18,435,987

Planned human resources

The following table shows actual, forecast and planned full-time equivalents (FTEs) for the core responsibility in NSIRA’s departmental results framework and for Internal Services for the years relevant to the current planning year.

Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2018-19 Actual full-time equivalents 2019-20 Actual full-time equivalents 2020-21 Forecast full-time equivalents 2021-22 Planned full-time equivalents 2022-23 Planned full-time equivalents 2023-24 Planned full-time equivalents
* Because NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019, there is no comparative information to provide for prior years. Numbers for 2019–20 are for the reporting period of July 12, 2019 – March 31, 2020.
Assist the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency N/A 17.5 44.1 69.0 69.0 69.0
Subtotal N/A 17.5 44.1 69.0 69.0 69.0
Internal Services N/A 11.2 23.6 31.0 31.0 31.0
Total N/A 28.7 67.7 100.0 100.0 100.0

Over the course of 2019–20, funding for an additional 26 FTEs was received to account for NSIRA’s expanded mandate. It is expected that NSIRA will be at full capacity by the close of 2021–22 to fulfil its new mandate.

Estimates by vote

Information on NSIRA’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2021–22 Main Estimates.

Condensed future-oriented statement of operations

The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of NSIRA’s operations for 2020–21 to 2021–22.

The amounts for forecast and planned results in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The amounts for forecast and planned spending presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

A more detailed future-oriented statement of operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations to the requested authorities, are available on NSIRA’s website.

Future-oriented Condensed statement of operations for the year ending March 31, 2022 (dollars)

Financial information 2020-21 Forecast results 2021-22 Planned results Difference (2021-22 planned results minus 2020-21 Forecast results)
Total expenses 17,695,822 28,235,300 10,539,478
Total revenues
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 17,695,822 28,235,300 10,539,478

The difference between the 2021–22 planned results and 2020–21 forecast results is mostly explained by $8.5M of planned accommodation, infrastructure and systems project costs. It is also explained by the increase in personnel to reach NSIRA’s full capacity of 100 FTE’s by the close of 2021–22.

Corporate Information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Institutional head: John Davies, Executive Director
Ministerial portfolio: Privy Council Office
Enabling instrument: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act
Year of incorporation / commencement: 2019

Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

“Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do” is available on NSIRA‘s website.

Operating context

Information on the operating context is available on NSIRA’s website.

Reporting framework

NSIRA’s Departmental Results Framework, with accompanying results and indicators, is under development. Additional information on key performance measures will be included in the 2021- 22 Departmental Plan.

Core Responsibility: National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations
Departmental Results Framework Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary Indicator: All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis Internal Services
Indicator: Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year
Indicator: All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three-year period
National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner Indicator: Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards
Program Inventory Program: National security and intelligence activity reviews and complaints investigations

The changeover of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) to NSIRA required significant changes to the Departmental Results Framework, expected results and indicators. With NSIRA’s broader mandate, these changes now provide a framework for measuring and reporting on results achieved starting in 2021–22 and beyond.

Changes to the approved reporting framework since 2020-21

Structure 2020-21 2021-22 Change Reason for change
Total expenses Investigations of Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s (CSIS’s) operational activities National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations New Core responsibility New Departmental Results Framework
Programs Review of CSIS’s operations National security and intelligence activity reviews and complaints investigations New Program New Departmental Results Framework
Investigation of complaints against CSIS

Supporting information on the program inventory

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on NSIRA‘s website.

  • Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
  • Gender-based analysis plus

Federal tax expenditures

NSIRA’s Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures that relate to its planned results for 2021–22.

Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance, and the Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government-wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures.[xi] This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and gender-based analysis. The tax measures presented in this report are solely the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.

Organizational contact information

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Telephone: The phone number is temporarily disabled
Fax: 613-907-4445
Email: info@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca
Website: www.nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Appendix: definitions

appropriation (crédit)

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3‑year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.

departmental priority (priorité)

A plan or project that a department has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired departmental results.

departmental result (résultat ministériel)

A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

A framework that connects the department’s core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

A report on a department’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

experimentation (expérimentation)

The conducting of activities that seek to first explore, then test and compare the effects and impacts of policies and interventions in order to inform evidence-based decision-making, and improve outcomes for Canadians, by learning what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Experimentation is related to, but distinct from innovation (the trying of new things), because it involves a rigorous comparison of results. For example, using a new website to communicate with Canadians can be an innovation; systematically testing the new website against existing outreach tools or an old website to see which one leads to more engagement, is experimentation.

full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person‑year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full‑time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person’s collective agreement.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])

An analytical process used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people experience policies, programs and services based on multiple factors including race ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2020–21 Departmental Results Report, those high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2019 Speech from the Throne, namely: Fighting climate change; Strengthening the Middle Class; Walking the road of reconciliation; Keeping Canadians safe and healthy; and Positioning Canada for success in an uncertain world.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

An initiative where two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement)

What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an organization, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement)

The process of communicating evidence‑based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.

plan (plan)

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

program (programme)

Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all the department’s programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department’s core responsibilities and results.

result (résultat)

A consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the organization’s influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

target (cible)

A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.

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Departmental Plan: 2020-2021

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Cat. Number: PS106-6E-PDF
ISSN: 2563-0334

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, 2020.

Date of Publishing:

Message from the Chair

It is an honour and a privilege to be named the inaugural Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA).

NSIRA is comprised of seven appointed members, working with a Secretariat with expertise in review, law, national security and policy. NSIRA has a mandate to review any Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to ensure that they are lawful, reasonable and necessary. NSIRA also investigates complaints from members of the public regarding national security agencies and activities. Its recent creation fills a longstanding gap in Canada’s national security architecture and significantly strengthens our framework for national security accountability.

NSIRA will report on its work through a variety of mechanisms. It is required to produce an unclassified annual report summarizing the full range of its activities, findings, and recommendations. This annual report is to be submitted to the Prime Minister and tabled in both Houses of Parliament. NSIRA is also required to submit annual reports to the Minister of Public Safety and the Minister of National Defence regarding the activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), respectively, as well as an additional annual report to the Minister of Public Safety regarding disclosures under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act (SCIDA). As the Chair of NSIRA, I am required on an annual basis to brief the Minister of Public Safety on CSIS’ exercise of its powers, duties and functions, and to do the same for the Minister of National Defence with respect to CSE.

NSIRA will also work with the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) and the Privacy Commissioner on issues of common interest, to maximize both the effectiveness and the efficiency of national security review activities.

I am grateful for the support that I have received thus far in my new role, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the year ahead in fulfilling NSIRA’s important new mandate.

Murray Rankin, Q.C.

Chair, National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

Message from the Executive Director

It is my pleasure to submit the first Departmental Plan for the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, for 2020-21.

During our first full year of operation, we will focus on transitioning to a much broader mandate, which now includes review of national security and intelligence activities across the Government of Canada, as well as the investigation of complaints related to CSIS, CSE, and national security complaints related to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

We will focus on building a strong network of partnerships to help us define our research priorities and deliver on our mandate in an increasingly complex national security environment. In doing so, we also want to be more transparent with Canadians. A longer term vision is being developed and will be articulated in greater detail in our forthcoming annual report. Ensuring a healthy work environment so that all employees feel valued and included is key to attaining this vision.

I hope that you find the information below useful in detailing how NSIRA is resourced and intends to fulfill its mandate in the year ahead.

John Davies
Executive Director

Plans at a glance

Established in July 2019, NSIRA represents a significant enhancement for national security accountability in Canada. NSIRA has a statutory mandate to review the activities of CSIS and CSE, as well as the national security and intelligence activities of all other federal departments and agencies. To fulfill its review mandate, NSIRA has unfettered access to classified information other than Cabinet confidences. In addition, NSIRA inherited the complaints investigation functions of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC), which was responsible for hearing complaints from members of the public regarding the actions of CSIS, as well as those related to the revocation or denial of security clearances. Going forward, it will also hear complaints regarding the CSE, as well as national security-related complaints regarding the RCMP.

In its first full year of operations, NSIRA will focus on ensuring it transitions effectively to a much larger organization with a much broader mandate. This includes: securing new accommodations; effective staffing and knowledge development; establishing strong working relations with review partners and other Canadian review bodies; and, delivering on mandatory reporting requirements as noted in the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act. Going forward, as NSIRA’s institutional capacity adapts, reviews will grow in complexity and sophistication, with an increasing focus on inter-agency activities. A key planning tool to be developed is a three-year research plan. This plan will guide resource allocation and staffing decisions over the medium term.

NSIRA is committed to: openness and transparency to connect better with Canadians; methodological excellence to ensure the quality of our work; and, forward thinking and innovation, including how we consider the impacts of new technology and an ever-changing national security environment. NSIRA understands the importance of organizational health and wellness as fundamental to our success. As we act on these values, NSIRA expects to be well positioned to deliver on our mandate.

For more information on the NSIRA’s plans, priorities and planned results, see the “Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks” section of this report.

Core responsibilities: planned results and resources, and key risks

Assist the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

Description

The Secretariat will assist NSIRA members in fulfilling the agency’s mandate. The Secretariat will conduct a range of activities to support the agency, including accessing relevant information and providing strategic and expert advice in the conduct of reviews, quasi-judicial investigation of complaints and the development of reports. It will also provide administrative support in arranging for briefings, hearings and consultations with stakeholders and international counterparts, and support to ensure compliance with security requirements.

Planning highlights

NSIRA will directly contribute to enhancing scrutiny of, and accountability for, national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions. This will increase public confidence that these activities are thoroughly reviewed and assessed as to whether they are lawful, reasonable and necessary.

Work in the year ahead will focus on adapting to NSIRA’s broad new mandate. This will involve building knowledge of the national security and intelligence activities of departments and agencies across the Government of Canada, in support of both the review and complaints investigations functions. Staffing new positions with high-quality candidates who can bring specialized knowledge and expertise to the organization will be a key priority.

NSIRA will carry out a number of activities in 2020-21 in support of its new mandate, including:

  • Supporting the development of reports, including on specific annual mandatory reviews and the NSIRA’s annual public report, which will be submitted to the Prime Minister;
  • Developing a medium-term research plan that reflects the broad scope of NSIRA’s new review mandate and the modern realities of inter-agency cooperation in the field of national security;
  • Working actively with its counterparts at the NSICOP, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, and the Office of the Intelligence Commissioner to foster productive collaboration within the Canadian review community;
  • Undertaking the investigation of complaints, updating procedures and establishing protocols in relation to the newly expanded aspects of this function;
  • Exploring ways to continue to build relationships with like-mandated international review bodies to participate in the exchange of best practices; and,
  • Enhancing NSIRA’s engagement with Canadians on matters of national security and intelligence in order to build public trust.

Gender-based analysis plus

NSIRA is committed to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce comprised of individuals with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. The NSIRA Secretariat recently issued its first employee survey to establish baselines on employee demographics as well as on matters related to workplace wellness. In the year ahead, a number of steps will be taken to follow up on this initiative and to foster an inclusive and positive work environment. Greater diversity in the workforce is an important staffing objective for the organization.

NSIRA is also mindful of the potential impact that national security and intelligence activities can have on diverse communities in Canada. This and related issues can arise in the context of reviews as well as complaints, and NSIRA has the authority to scrutinize national security and intelligence activities for signs of bias and discrimination.

In the year ahead, NSIRA will engage Canadians to discuss research planning and priorities, as well as findings and recommendations of interest, and to better understand concerns regarding differential impacts of national security and intelligence activities. This engagement will include a diverse range of stakeholder groups.

NSIRA is also aware of concerns about bias and unfair targeting in the context of new and emerging technologies. In the year ahead, we will work to better understand this issue and the implications that it entails for Canadians. We are also exploring training tools for NSIRA staff to ensure that considerations related to Gender-based analysis plus are incorporated into our review methodology.

Key risks

The ability to hire a sufficient number of qualified personnel within relevant timelines remains a short- and medium-term risk for NSIRA, particularly given the specialized knowledge and skillsets required for many positions. This is further compounded by the requirement for candidates to obtain a Top Secret security clearance, which can incur significant delays.

The ability to expand into additional secure accommodations in a timely manner is also a significant risk for NSIRA, given that its mandate requires it to operate within a high security zone. A lack of secure accommodations would negatively impact the ability of NSIRA to hire large numbers of staff, impeding its ability to deliver on its mandate.

The ability to ensure that NSIRA’s work is conducted in accordance with the highest security standards remains top-of-mind for the organization. In the year ahead, we will work to ensure that employees are aware of and abide by all relevant security protocols, while ensuring that our accommodations and information systems are fit-for-purpose. In this regard, we will work with the national security community to ensure that they have confidence in our approach.

The ability of NSIRA to access the information it needs to do its work and speak to the relevant internal stakeholders to understand policies, operations and ongoing issues is closely tied to the reviewed departments’ capacity to respond to the demands of NSIRA. The resource constraints of the reviewed departments could delay NSIRA’s ability to deliver on its mandate in a timely way.

Mitigation measures for the risks outlined above will be developed and factored into NSIRA’s work throughout the year ahead.

Planned results for assisting the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

NSIRA’s Departmental Results Framework, with accompanying results and indicators, is under development. Additional information on key performance measures will be included in the 2021- 22 Departmental Plan.

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Planned budgetary financial resources for assisting the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

2020–21 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2020–21 planned spending 2021–22 planned spending 2022–23 planned spending
11,309,411 11,309,411 12,107,192 13,842,015

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Planned human resources for assisting the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

2020–21 planned full-time equivalents 2021–22 planned full-time equivalents 2022–23 planned full-time equivalents
48 75 75

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Internal Services: planned results

Description

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of Programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct services that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. These services are:

  • Management and Oversight Services
  • Communications Services
  • Legal Services
  • Human Resources Management Services
  • Financial Management Services
  • Information Management Services
  • Information Technology Services
  • Real Property Management Services
  • Materiel Management Services
  • Acquisition Management Services

Planning highlights

In this first full year of operations, NSIRA will focus on expanding into additional secure facilities and on staffing vacant positions. The Secretariat is working with officials from the Privy Council Office and Public Services and Procurement Canada to identify opportunities for expansion into an additional high security zone, as well as opportunities to retrofit existing spaces for eventual occupation. On the issue of human resources, the Secretariat is recruiting with a view to ensuring that new staff are diverse and have the necessary skills and core competencies that will provide NSIRA with high-quality support it requires over the long term.

The Secretariat will also work to ensure that staff are equipped with the necessary Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) systems, equipment and support services to perform their work, as the organization grows.

Planned budgetary financial resources for Internal Services

2020–21 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2020–21 planned spending 2021–22 planned spending 2022–23 planned spending
12,975,559 12,975,559 12,107,192 4,614,005

Funding for 2020-21 and 2021-22 is higher than ongoing funding figures due to plans for funds being used for the building and refurbishing of additional office space.

Planned human resources for Internal Services

2020–21 planned full-time equivalents 2021–22 planned full-time equivalents 2022–23 planned full-time equivalents
22 25 25

Financial, human resources and performance information for NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of the department’s planned spending and human resources for the next three consecutive fiscal years, and compares planned spending for the upcoming year with the current year’s spending.

Planned spending

Departmental spending 2017–18 to 2022–23

The following graph presents planned (voted and statutory) spending over time.

The figures in the graph above reflect the fact that NSIRA was established part-way through the 2019-20 fiscal year, with a coming-into-force date of July 12, 2019. Fiscal Year 2019-20 presents forecast spending for the current fiscal year. Fiscal years 2020-21 to 2022-23 present planned spending based on approved authorities. The planned spending for 2020-21 and 2021-22 includes funding for construction and fit-up of secure office space required by NSIRA for its activities.

Budgetary planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services (dollars)

The following table shows actual, forecast and planned spending for NSIRA’s core responsibility and for Internal Services for the years relevant to the current planning year.

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2017–18 expenditures 2018–19 expenditures 2019–20 forecast spending 2020–21 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates) 2020–21 planned spending 2021–22 planned spending 2022–23 planned spending
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations N/A N/A 2,964,990 11,309,411 11,309,411 12,107,192 13,842,015
Subtotal N/A N/A 2,964,990 11,309,411 11,309,411 12,107,192 13,842,015
Internal Services N/A N/A 4,984,840 12,975,559 12,975,559 12,107,192 4,614,005
Total N/A N/A 7,949,830 24,284,970 24,284,970 24,214,384 18,456,020

As NSIRA was created on July 12, 2019, there is no comparative information to provide for prior years. Numbers for 2019-20 are for the reporting period July 12, 2019 – March 31, 2020.

Due to delays in acquiring and fitting up a second office site for the growing organization, NSIRA is expected to lapse funds, allocated for construction and equipping office space in 2019-20. Planned spending for 2022-23 shows the ongoing financial authorities after completion of the office expansion project.

Planned human resources

The following table shows actual, forecast and planned full-time equivalents (FTEs) for the core responsibility in NSIRA’s departmental results framework and for Internal Services for the years relevant to the current planning year.

Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services

Core responsibilities and Internal Services 2017-18 Actual full-time equivalents 2018-19 Actual full-time equivalents 2019-20 Forecast full-time equivalents 2020-21 Planned full-time equivalents 2021-22 Planned full-time equivalents 2022-23 Planned full-time equivalents
Assist the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency N/A N/A 24 48 75 75
Subtotal N/A N/A 24 48 75 75
Internal Services N/A N/A 15 22 25 25
Total N/A N/A 39 70 100 100

Accommodations challenges as well as security clearance requirements pushed anticipated staffing actions to future reporting periods. As NSIRA evolves, it will need to prioritize staffing efforts in order to fulfill its expanded mandate.

Estimates by vote

Information on NSIRA’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2020–21 Main Estimates.

Condensed future-oriented statement of operations

The condensed future-oriented statement of operations provides an overview of NSIRA’s operations for 2019–20 to 2020–21.

The amounts for forecast and planned results in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The amounts for forecast and planned spending presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

A more detailed future-oriented statement of operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations to the requested authorities, are available on NSIRA’s website.

Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and Internal Services

Financial information 2019-20 Forecast results 2020-21 Planned results Difference (2020-21 planned results minus 2019-20 Forecast results)
Total expenses 8,924,002 25,780,059 16,856,058
Total revenues 248 248 0
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers 8,923,754 25,779,811 16,856,058

The large increase between planned results for 2020-21 and forecasted results for 2019-20 is due to the later-than-expected royal assent of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act and the coming-into-force of the NSIRA. The difference has been further compounded by the challenge of finding suitable highly secure accommodations and the resulting inability to complete planned hiring in 2019-20.

Corporate Information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Institutional head: John Davies, Executive Director
Ministerial portfolio: Privy Council Office
Enabling instrument: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act
Year of incorporation / commencement: 2019

Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

“Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do” is available on NSIRA‘s website.

Operating context

Information on the operating context is available on NSIRA’s website.

Reporting framework

NSIRA’s Departmental Results Framework, with accompanying results and indicators, is under development. Additional information on key performance measures will be included in the 2021- 22 Departmental Plan.

Supporting information on the program inventory

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to NSIRA’s program inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on NSIRA‘s website.

  • Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
  • Gender-based analysis plus

Federal tax expenditures

NSIRA’s Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures that relate to its planned results for 2020–21.

Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance, and the Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government-wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and gender-based analysis. The tax measures presented in this report are solely the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.

Organizational contact information

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5


Fax: 613-907-4445
Email: info@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca
Website: www.nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Appendix: definitions

appropriation (crédit)

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3‑year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring.

departmental priority (priorité)

A plan or project that a department has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired departmental results.

departmental result (résultat ministériel)

A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

A framework that connects the department’s core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

A report on a department’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

experimentation (expérimentation)

The conducting of activities that seek to first explore, then test and compare the effects and impacts of policies and interventions in order to inform evidence-based decision-making, and improve outcomes for Canadians, by learning what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Experimentation is related to, but distinct from innovation (the trying of new things), because it involves a rigorous comparison of results. For example, using a new website to communicate with Canadians can be an innovation; systematically testing the new website against existing outreach tools or an old website to see which one leads to more engagement, is experimentation.

full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person‑year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full‑time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person’s collective agreement.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])

An analytical process used to assess how diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people experience policies, programs and services based on multiple factors including race ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2020–21 Departmental Results Report, those high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2019 Speech from the Throne, namely: Fighting climate change; Strengthening the Middle Class; Walking the road of reconciliation; Keeping Canadians safe and healthy; and Positioning Canada for success in an uncertain world.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

An initiative where two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement)

What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an organization, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement)

The process of communicating evidence‑based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.

plan (plan)

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

program (programme)

Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all the department’s programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department’s core responsibilities and results.

result (résultat)

A consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the organization’s influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

target (cible)

A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an appropriation act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.

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