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Review of Operational Collaboration between the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS): Report

Review of Operational Collaboration between the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)


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Review of Operational Collaboration between the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS): Backgrounder

Review of Operational Collaboration between the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)


Backgrounder

Backgrounder

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) completed a review of how the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) collaborate. As Canada’s two main intelligence organizations, responsible for signals intelligence and human intelligence respectively, their collaboration is critical to national security.

This review is the first to examine CSE and CSIS collaboration across both departments. NSIRA’s predecessor review bodies did not have the authority to assess activities across multiple institutions. NSIRA reviewed operational activities, information sharing, and compliance under both organizations’ enabling legislation.

The review also enabled NSIRA to meet its annual requirement under section 8(2) of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act to review an aspect of CSIS’s Threat Reduction Measures (TRM).

Why This Matters

Collaboration between CSE and CSIS plays an important role in keeping Canada safe. When collaboration is not clearly structured or properly governed, it can create legal risks and reduce the effectiveness of intelligence activities.

NSIRA’s review highlights the need for clearer rules, better planning, and more consistent communication to ensure collaboration remains lawful, accountable, and effective. This oversight helps protect Canadians’ rights while supporting strong national security outcomes.

Purpose of the Review

NSIRA’s review examined whether CSE and CSIS:

  • Collaborated in a way that respected the differences in their legal mandates
  • Had clear policies, procedures, and planning in place to manage legal and compliance risks arising from collaboration
  • Shared information in a manner that was lawful, appropriately limited, and supported by clear governance and accountability
  • Met legal requirements to consult and share information when CSIS undertook Threat Reduction Measures (TRM) involving or affecting CSE

The review examined a sample of collaborative operational activities and information sharing between CSE and CSIS, including assistance provided by CSE to CSIS, joint operations, and coordination related to Threat Reduction Measures.

What NSIRA Found

Context

CSIS is authorized to collect and share information about Canadians in support of its intelligence and threat reduction mandates. CSE, by contrast, is prohibited from directing its foreign intelligence activities at Canadians or at any person in Canada. This difference creates risks when the two organizations collaborate and requires careful planning and clear rules.

At the same time, CSE and CSIS have complementary capabilities. When collaboration is properly planned and governed, it can support stronger intelligence outcomes for Canada.

Findings

  • Operational collaboration: NSIRA found that collaboration was not always supported by sufficient advance planning or risk mitigation. In some cases, CSE did not adequately account for the increased risk of directing its activities at Canadians when collaborating with CSIS. NSIRA identified two instances of non-compliance with the law.
  • Information sharing: NSIRA found that some information-sharing practices lacked clear governance and consistent procedures. These gaps increased the risk that Canadian information could be used in ways that were not aligned with CSE’s mandate. NSIRA identified one instance of non-compliance related to information sharing.
  • Threat Reduction Measures (TRM): NSIRA found that while CSIS consulted CSE when planning Threat Reduction Measures, consultation and information sharing were not always sufficiently detailed or timely throughout the process. NSIRA also found that information sharing could be improved when compliance issues arise in activities involving both organizations.
  • Departmental cooperation: NSIRA found that communication and cooperation between CSE and CSIS were inconsistent and, in some cases, limited the ability to fully use domestic collaboration to advance Canadian intelligence priorities.

What NSIRA Recommends

NSIRA made several recommendations aimed at improving collaboration and compliance, including:

  • Strengthening joint planning, policies, procedures, and training
  • Improving governance and consistency in information-sharing practices
  • Enhancing consultation and information sharing related to Threat Reduction Measures
  • Supporting more effective communication and cooperation between the departments
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Theme Topics
Governance
  • Policies, procedures, framework and other authorities
  • Internal oversight
  • Risk management, assessment and practices
  • Decision-making and accountability, including ministerial accountability and direction
  • Training, tools and staffing resources
Add class “category”
Propriety
  • Reasonableness, necessity, efficacy and proportionality
  • Legal thresholds and advice, compliance and privacy interests
Add class “category”
Information management and sharing
  • Collection, documentation, tracking, implementing, reporting, monitoring and safeguarding
  • Information sharing and disclosure
  • Keeping and providing accurate and up-to-date information, timeliness

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Annual Report on the Privacy Act 2024-25

Annual Report on the Privacy Act 2024-25


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Introduction

The Privacy Act (PA) gives individuals the right of access to information about themselves that is under the control of a government institution, subject to certain specific and limited exemptions and exclusions. The PA also protects the privacy of individuals by giving them substantial control over the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information, and by preventing others from having access to that information. 

Section 72 of the Privacy Act requires the head of each government institution to prepare an annual report on the administration of the PA within the institution that is to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament.

This report to Parliament, which is prepared and tabled pursuant to section 72 of the Privacy Act, describes the activities of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat (the Secretariat) in administering the Privacy Act during the period of April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025 (the reporting period). 

If you require more information or wish to make a request under the Privacy Act or the Access to Information Act, please direct your inquiries to the following: 

Access to Information and Privacy Office 
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat 
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” 
Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5W5  
Email: ATIP@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Who We Are

Established in July 2019, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) is an independent agency that reports to Parliament and conducts investigations and reviews of the federal government’s national security and intelligence activities. 

The Secretariat assists NSIRA in fulfilling its mandate. It is the Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director, that is the government institution for the purposes of the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act (ATIA). 

Mandate

NSIRA has a dual mandate to conduct reviews and investigations in relation to Canada’s national security or intelligence activities. 

Reviews

NSIRA’s review mandate is broad, as outlined in subsection 8(1) of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act (NSIRA Act). This mandate includes reviewing the activities of both the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), as well as the national security- or intelligence-related activities of any other federal department or agency. This includes, but is not limited to, the national security or intelligence activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Department of Justice. Further, NSIRA may review any national security or intelligence matters that a minister of the Crown refers to NSIRA. 

NSIRA reviews assess whether Canada’s national security and intelligence activities comply with relevant laws, policies, and ministerial directions, and whether they are reasonable and necessary. In conducting its reviews, NSIRA can make any findings or recommendations it considers appropriate. 

Investigations

NSIRA is responsible for investigating national security or intelligence-related complaints from members of the public. As outlined in paragraph 8(1)(d) of the NSIRA Act, NSIRA has the mandate to investigate complaints about: 

  • any activity of CSIS or of CSE;
  • decisions to deny or revoke certain federal government security clearances; 
  • any complaint referred under subsection 45.53(4.1) or 45.67(2.1) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act
  • reports made under section 19 of the Citizenship Act; and 
  • matters referred under section 45 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Organizational Structure

The Secretariat’s ATIP Office is accountable for the development and implementation of effective policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure that the Secretariat meets its responsibilities under the PA and the ATIA. Since the last reporting period, the ATIP Office added and reclassified new personnel to assist with new policies implementation to comply with statutory requirements and increase of access requests to comply with statutory requirements under the PA and the ATIA. 

For the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office consisted of: 

  • One (1) full-time Director, in addition to fulfilling normal duties as Director of Communications and Administrative Services for the Secretariat and NSIRA Members;
  • One (1) full-time ATIP Senior Advisor;
  • One (1) full-time ATIP Coordinator;
  • One (1) part-time ATIP Student;
  • Two (2) part-time ATIP Consultants; and
  • When required, the ATIP Office was supported by one (1) full-time Senior Counsel, Internal Services.

The Secretariat’s ATIP Office is responsible for the following: 

  • monitoring compliance with ATIP legislation and relevant procedures and policies; 
  • processing requests under both the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act
  • developing and maintaining policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure that the Secretariat respected the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act
  • maintaining Personal Information Banks and conducting privacy impact assessments. 
  • preparing annual reports to Parliament and other statutory reports, as well as other material that might be required by central agencies; and 
  • representing the Secretariat in dealings with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the information and privacy commissioners, and other government departments and agencies in matters pertaining to the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act.

During the reporting period, the Secretariat was party to a service agreement under section 73.1 of the Privacy Act in which the Secretariat received administrative support from the Privy Council Office related to the tabling of this annual report in Parliament. The Secretariat was also party to a service agreement under section 71.1 of the Privacy Act, in which the Secretariat received ATIP Online services from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. 

To assist the Secretariat’s ATIP Office in meeting its overall legislative obligations, the Secretariat relied on a collaborative internal group of subject matter experts from all divisions.

Delegation Order

As the Head of the Secretariat, the Executive Director is responsible for the administration of the PA within the institution. Pursuant to section 73 of the PA, the Executive Director has delegated the ATIP Director, the ATIP Senior Advisor, the ATIP Coordinator, as well as individuals acting in these positions to perform certain and specific powers, duties, and functions for the administration of the PA. These positions have limited delegation of authority under the PA and the Access to Information Act, in accordance with the delegation of authority instrument approved by the Executive Director in October 2024. A copy of the Delegation Order can be found in Annex A. 

Performance 2024-2025

Performance in Processing Privacy Requests

During the reporting period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the Secretariat received 23 formal access to information requests, in addition to 3 requests carried over from the previous reporting period, for a total of 26 requests. Of these, the ATIP Office closed 18 requests and processed approximately 203 pages. Eight (8) requests were carried over into the next reporting period, all of which remained within the legislated timelines. 

Statistical Reports for 2024-2025

The Secretariat’s 2024-2025 Statistical Report on the Privacy Act and Supplemental ATIP Statistical Report for 2024-2025 were both validated by the Treasury Board Secretariat in July 2025.

Extensions

During the reporting period, the ATIP Office invoked an extension while processing one (1) request under paragraph 15(a)(ii) of the Privacy Act within 0 to 15 days. Invoking extensions on this request was necessary to accurately review a significant amount of records received for this request.

Completion Time of Completed Requests 

Of the 18 requests completed during the reporting period: 

  • 1 request, or 5.5% of the requests completed, was disclosed in part. This request was completed within 31 to 60 days;
  • 10 requests, or 55.5% of the requests completed, were neither confirmed or denied. 5 requests were completed within 0 to 15 days, and 5 requests were completed within 16 to 30 days;
  • 6 requests, or 33.3% of the requests completed, resulted in no records. 4 requests were completed within 16 to 30 days, and 2 requests completed within 31 to 60 days; and 
  • 1 request, or 5.5% of the requests completed, was abandoned. This request was completed within 31 to 60 days. 

During the reporting period, the on-time response rate increased to 83.3% from 56% from the 2023-2024 reporting period. 

Consultations 

During the reporting period, the ATIP Office received one (1) consultation request from another government department, consisting of 2 pages. This one (1) consultation request was completed within 0 to 15 days.

Complaints and Investigations 

Subsection 29(1) of the PA describes how the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) receives and investigates complaints from individuals regarding the processing of requests under the PA. During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office was the subject of one new complaint, and one report of findings from the OPC, which determined that the complaint was “not well founded”. Additionally, we also received eight reports of findings and recommendations from complaints from previous reporting periods. 

Training and Awareness

The Secretariat took a customized approach to training subject matter experts on their legislative requirements, roles, and responsibilities. The Secretariat’s ATIP Office encouraged employees to take the ATIP training courses offered by the Canada School of Public Service. New employees were required to complete an online training session entitled Fundamentals of Access to Information and Privacy within six months of joining the Secretariat and in November 2024, an internal ATIP training session was held. 

To ensure in-depth training is taken by employees of the NSIRA Secretariat who have functional or delegated responsibility for the administration of the PA and Privacy Regulations, the Senior ATIP Advisor attended the 2024 Canadian Access and Privacy Association Conference, while the ATIP Director attended the International Association of Privacy Professionals Global Privacy Summit 2024. 

Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures 

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office advanced several initiatives to enhance its efficiency. Notably, it finalized key documents including the Privacy Breach Plan and Procedures Manual, and the Privacy Protocol Template. In addition, the Secretariat established a formal Privacy Impact Assessment policy to strengthen privacy governance and compliance.

Initiatives and Projects to Improve Privacy 

During the reporting period, the Secretariat did not implement or continue any new initiatives or projects related to privacy.

Summary of Key Issues and Actions Taken on Complaints 

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office engaged meaningfully with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on 10 active complaints. One complaint was received during this reporting period, while the remaining nine were carried over from previous periods. All complaints were resolved, and reports of findings were issued by the OPC, each concluding that the complaints were “not well founded.” Additionally, the Secretariat received one recommendation related to its Privacy Impact Assessment, which was finalized and fully implemented. 

Material Privacy Breaches 

During the reporting period, no material privacy breaches occurred. 

Privacy Impact Assessments 

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office modified one (1) Privacy Impact Assessment related to the creation of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency. The updated assessment web summary can be accessed here

Public Interest Disclosures 

During the reporting period, no public interest disclosures occurred.

Monitoring Compliance 

Legislative deadlines for privacy requests were closely monitored through the use of multiple Microsoft Lists trackers. In collaboration with the ATIP Senior Advisor, the ATIP Director organized ad hoc meetings to review request-related activities, set deadlines, and ensure that all relevant personnel within the ATIP Office and, when applicable, across the Secretariat were informed of the status of requests. Additionally, the ATIP Office held weekly meetings to strategize on meeting upcoming deadlines and to ensure accurate administration of statutory requirements and policy instruments. Compliance with legislative and policy obligations was also regularly raised and discussed by the ATIP Director during bi-weekly team meetings with the Secretariat’s Executive Director (Deputy Head) and the Senior Counsel, Internal Services. 

Appendices

Appendix A: Delegation Order

Privacy Act Designation Order

The Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, pursuant to section 73 of the Privacy Act*, hereby designates the persons holding the positions or acting in these positions, set out in the schedule hereto to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency as the head of a government institution under the section of the Privacy Act set out in the schedule opposite each position.

POSITION PROVISION OF THE PRIVACY ACT OR THE PRIVACY REGULATIONS
Executive Director
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat
Privacy Act:
8(2)(j), 8(2)(m), 8(4), 8(5), 9(1), 9(4), 10, 14, 15, 16, 17(2)(b), 17(3)(b), 18(2), 19(1), 19(2), 20, 21, 22, 22.3, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 27.1, 28, 33(2), 35(4), 51(2)(b), 72(1), 72(4)
Privacy Regulations:
9, 11(2), 11(4), 13(1), 14
Director, Central Administration & ATIP
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat
Privacy Act:
8(2)(j), 8(2)(m), 8(4), 8(5), 9(1), 9(4), 10, 14, 15, 16, 17(2)(b), 17(3)(b), 18(2), 19(1), 19(2), 20, 21, 22, 22.3, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 27.1, 28, 33(2), 35(4), 72(1), 72(4)
Privacy Regulations:
9, 11(2), 11(4), 13(1), 14
Senior Advisor, ATIP
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat
Privacy Act:
8(4), 8(5), 9(1), 9(4), 10, 15, 16, 17(2)(b), 17(3)(b), 18(2), 35(4)
Privacy Regulations:
9, 11(2)
ATIP Coordinator
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat
Privacy Act:
8(4), 8(5), 9(1), 9(4), 10, 15, 16, 17(2)(b), 17(3)(b), 18(2), 35(4)
Privacy Regulations:
9, 11(2)

Appendix B: 2024–2025 Statistical Report on the Privacy Act

Name of institution: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 – 2025-03-31

Section 1: Request Under the Privacy Act

1.1 Number of Requests
  Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 23
Outstanding from previous reporting period 3
Outstanding from more than one reporting period 0
Total 26
Closed during reporting period 18
Carried over to next reporting period 8
Carried over within legislated timeline 8
Carried over beyond legislated timeline 0
1.2 Channels of requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 19
E-mail 2
Mail 2
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 23

Section 2: Informal requests

2.1 Number of informal requests
  Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 1
Outstanding from previous reporting periods 0
Outstanding from more than one reporting period 0
Total 0
Closed during reporting period 0
Carried over to next reporting period 0
2.2 Channels of informal requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 0
E-Mail 0
Mail 0
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 0
2.3 Completion time of informal requests
Completion Time
1 to 15 days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More than 365 Days Total
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2.4 Pages released informally
Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 3: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period

3.1 Disposition and completion time
Disposition of Requests Completion Time
0 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 6
Request abandoned 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Neither confirmed nor denied 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 10
Total 5 9 4 0 0 0 0 18
3.2 Exemptions
Section Numbers of Requests
18(2) 0
19(1)(a) 0
19(1)(b) 0
19(1)(c) 0
19(1)(d) 0
19(1)(e) 0
19(1)(f) 0
20 0
21 1
22(1)(a)(i) 0
22(1)(a)(ii) 0
22(1)(a)(iii) 0
22(1)(b) 0
22(1)(c) 0
22(2) 0
22.1 0
22.2 0
22.3 0
22.4 0
23(a) 0
23(b) 0
24(a) 0
24(b) 0
25 0
26 1
27 0
27.1 0
28 0
3.3 Exclusions
Section Numbers of Requests
69(1)(a) 0
69(1)(b) 0
69.1 0
70(1) 0
70(1)(a) 0
70(1(b) 0
70(1)(c) 0
70(1)(d) 0
70(1)(e) 0
70(1)(f) 0
70.1 0
3.4 Format of information released
Paper Electronic Other
E-record Data set Video Audio
0 1 0 0 0 0
3.5 Complexity
3.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed for paper and e-record formats
Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Disclosed Number of Requests
203 203 12
3.5.2 Relevant pages processed per request disposition for paper, e-record and dataset formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
All disclosed 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 1 203 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 11 0 1 203 0 0 0 0 0 0
3.5.3 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
3.5.4 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 – 120 Minutes Processed More than 120 Minutes Processed
Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
3.5.5 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
3.5.6 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 – 120 Minutes Processed More than 120 Minutes Processed
Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
3.5.7 Other complexities
Disposition Consultation Required Assessment of Fees Legal Advice Sought Other Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0
3.6 Closed requests
3.6.1 Requests closed within legislated timelines
  Requests closed within legislated timelines
Number of requests closed within legislated timelines 15
Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines (%) 83.33333333
3.7 Deemed refusals
3.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines
Number of Requests Closed Past the Legislated Timelines Principal Reason
Interference with Operations/Workload External Consultation Internal Consultation Other
3 3 0 0 0
3.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)
Number of Days Past Legislated Timelines Number of Requests Past Legislated Timeline Where No Extension Was Taken Number of Requests Past Legislated Timeline Where an Extension Was Taken Total
1 to 15 Days 1 0 1
16 to 30 Days 1 1 1
31 to 60 Days 0 0 0
61 to 120 Days 0 0 0
121 to 180 Days 0 0 0
181 to 365 Days 0 0 0
More than 365 Days 0 0 0
Total 2 1 3
3.8 Requests for translation
Translation Requests Accepted Refused Total
English to French 0 0 0
French to English 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

Section 4: Disclosures Under Subsections 8(2) and 8(5)

Paragraph 8(2)(e) Paragraph 8(2)(m) Subsection 8(5) Total
0 0 0 0

Section 5: Requests for Correction of Personal Information and Notations

Disposition for Correction Requests Received Number
Notations attached 0
Requests for correction accepted 0
Total 0

Section 6: Extensions

6.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests
Number of requests where an extension was taken 15(a)(i) Interference with operations 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(b) Consultation
Further review required to determine exemptions Large volume of pages Large volume of requests Documents are difficult to obtain Cabinet Confidence Section (Section 70) External Internal
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
6.2 Length of extensions
Length of Extensions 15(a)(i) Interference with operations 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(b) Consultation
Further review required to determine exemptions Large volume of pages Large volume of requests Documents are difficult to obtain Cabinet Confidence Section (Section 70) External Internal
1 to 15 days 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 days 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
31 days or greater               0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Section 7: Consultations Received From Other Institutions and Organizations

7.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations
Consultations Other Government of Canada Institutions Number of Pages to Review Other Organizations Number of Pages to Review
Received during reporting period 1 2 0 0
Outstanding from the previous reporting period 0 0 0 0
Total 1 2 0 0
Closed during the reporting period 1 2 0 0
Carried over within negotiated timelines 0 0 0 0
Carried over beyond negotiated timelines 0 0 0 0
7.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclose in part 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
7.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations outside the Government of Canada
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclose in part 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 8: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences

8.1 Requests with Legal Services
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8.2 Requests with Privy Council Office
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 9: Complaints and Investigations Notices Received

Section 31 Section 33 Section 35 Court action Total
1 0 9 0 10

Section 10: Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and Personal Information Banks (PIBS)

10.1 Privacy Impact Assessments
Number of PIA(s) completed Number of PIAs modified
0 1
10.2 Institution-specific and Central Personal Information Banks
Personal Information Banks Active Created Terminated Modified
Institution-specific 2 1 0 1
Central 0 0 0 0
Total 2 1 0 1

Section 11: Privacy Breaches

11.1 Material Privacy Breaches reported
Number of material privacy breaches reported to TBS Number of material privacy breaches reported to OPC
0 0
11.2 Non-Material Privacy Breaches
Number of non-material privacy breaches
0
12.1 Allocated Costs
Expenditures Amount
Salaries $90,000
Overtime $0
Goods and Services $12,420
Professional services contracts $12,420
Other $0
Total $102,420
12.2 Human Resources
Resources Person Years Dedicated to Access to Information Activities
Full-time employees 0.000
Part-time and casual employees 2.000
Regional Staff 0.000
Consultants and agency personnel 1.000
Students 0.000
Total 3.000

Note: Enter values to three decimal places.

Annex C: Supplemental Statistical Report

Section 1: Requests Carried Over and Active Complaints Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Requests carried over to next reporting period, broken down by reporting period received
Reporting Period
Requests Carried Over
Were Received
Requests Carried Over that are Beyond Legislated Timelines as of March 31, 2025 Total
Requests Carried Over that are
Within Legislated
Timelines as of
March 31, 2025
Requests Carried Over that are
Beyond Legislated
Timelines as of
March 31, 2025
Received in 2024-25 6 56 62
Received in 2023-24 0 0 0
Received in 2022-23 0 0 0
Received in 2021-22 0 1 1
Received in 2020-21 0 0 0
Received in 2019-20 0 0 0
Received in 2018-19 0 0 0
Received in 2017-18 0 0 0
Received in 2016-17 0 0 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0 0 0
Total 6 57 63
1.2 Active complaints with the Information Commissioner of Canada, broken down by reporting period received
Reporting Period Active Complaints Were Received by Institution Number of Active Complaints
Received in 2024-25 1
Received in 2023-24 0
Received in 2022-23 0
Received in 2021-22 0
Received in 2020-21 0
Received in 2019-20 0
Received in 2018-19 0
Received in 2017-18 0
Received in 2016-17 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0
Total 1

Section 2: Requests Carried Over and Active Complaints Under the Privacy Act

2.1 Requests carried over to next reporting period, broken down by reporting period received
Reporting Period
Requests Carried Over
Were Received
Requests Carried Over that are
Within Legislated
Timelines as of
March 31, 2025
Requests Carried Over that are
Beyond Legislated
Timelines as of
March 31, 2025
Total
Received in 2024-25 8 0 8
Received in 2023-24 0 0 0
Received in 2022-23 0 0 0
Received in 2021-22 0 0 0
Received in 2020-21 0 0 0
Received in 2019-20 0 0 0
Received in 2018-19 0 0 0
Received in 2017-18 0 0 0
Received in 2016-17 0 0 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0 0 0
Total 8 0 8
2.2 Active complaints with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, broken down by reporting period received
Reporting Period Active Complaints Were Received by Institution Number of Active Complaints
Received in 2024-25 0
Received in 2023-24 0
Received in 2022-23 0
Received in 2021-22 0
Received in 2020-21 0
Received in 2019-20 0
Received in 2018-19 0
Received in 2017-18 0
Received in 2016-17 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0
Total 0

Section 3: Social Insurance Number

Has your institution begun a new collection or a new consistent use of the SIN in 2024-25 No

Section 4: Universal Access under the Privacy Act

How many requests were received from foreign nationals outside of Canada in 2024-25 0
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Annual Report on the Access to Information Act 2024–25

Annual Report on the Access to Information Act 2024–25


Date of Publishing:

Introduction

The Access to Information Act (ATIA) gives Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as any person or corporation present in Canada, the right of access to information under the control of a government institution, subject to certain specific and limited exemptions and exclusions.

Section 94 of the ATIA requires the head of each government institution to prepare an annual report on the administration of the ATIA within the institution that is to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament.

This report to Parliament, which is prepared and tabled in accordance with section 94 of the ATIA, describes the activities of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat (the Secretariat) in administering the ATIA during the period of April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025 (the reporting period).

If you require more information or wish to make a request under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act, please direct your inquiries to the following:

Access to Information and Privacy Office
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5W5
Email: ATIP@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Who we are

Established in July 2019, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) is an independent agency that reports to Parliament and conducts investigations and reviews of the federal government’s national security and intelligence activities.

The Secretariat assists NSIRA in fulfilling its mandate. It is the Secretariat, headed by an Executive Director, that is the government institution for the purposes of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Mandate

NSIRA has a dual mandate to conduct reviews and investigations in relation to Canada’s national security or intelligence activities.

Reviews

NSIRA’s review mandate is broad, as outlined in subsection 8(1) of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act (NSIRA Act). This mandate includes reviewing the activities of both the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), as well as the national security- or intelligence-related activities of any other federal department or agency. This includes, but is not limited to, the national security or intelligence activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Department of Justice. Further, NSIRA may review any national security or intelligence matters that a minister of the Crown refers to NSIRA.

NSIRA reviews assess whether Canada’s national security and intelligence activities comply with relevant laws, policies, and ministerial directions, and whether they are reasonable and necessary. In conducting its reviews, NSIRA can make any findings or recommendations it considers appropriate.

Investigations

NSIRA is responsible for investigating national security or intelligence-related complaints from members of the public. As outlined in paragraph 8(1)(d) of the NSIRA Act, NSIRA has the mandate to investigate complaints about:

  • any activity of CSIS or of CSE;
  • decisions to deny or revoke certain federal government security clearances;
  • any complaint referred under subsection 45.53(4.1) or 45.67(2.1) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act,
  • reports made under section 19 of the Citizenship Act, and
  • matters referred under section 45 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Organizational Structure

The Secretariat’s ATIP Office is accountable for the development and implementation of effective policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure that the Secretariat meets its responsibilities under the ATIA and the Privacy Act. Since the last reporting period, the ATIP Office added and reclassified new personnel to assist with the significant increase of access requests during the reporting period as well as develop and subsequently implement new policy tools to comply with statutory requirements under the ATIA and the Privacy Act.

For the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office consisted of:

  • One (1) full-time Director, in addition to fulfilling normal duties as Director of Communications and Administrative Services for the Secretariat and NSIRA Members;
  • One (1) full-time ATIP Senior Advisor;
  • One (1) full-time ATIP Coordinator;
  • One (1) part-time ATIP Student;
  • two (2) part-time ATIP Consultants; and
  • When required, the ATIP Office was supported by one (1) full-time Senior Counsel, Internal Services.

The Secretariat’s ATIP Office is responsible for the following:

  • monitoring compliance with ATIP legislation and relevant procedures and policies;
  • processing requests under both the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act;
  • developing and maintaining policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure that the Secretariat respected the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act;
  • maintaining Personal Information Banks and conducting privacy impact assessments.
  • preparing annual reports to Parliament and other statutory reports, as well as other material that might be required by central agencies; and
  • representing the Secretariat in dealings with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the information and privacy commissioners, and other government departments and agencies in matters pertaining to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

During the reporting period, the Secretariat was party to a service agreement under section 96 of the ATIA in which the Secretariat received administrative support from the Privy Council Office related to the tabling of this annual report to Parliament. The Secretariat was also party to a service agreement under section 92 of the ATIA, in which the Secretariat received ATIP Online services from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Part 2: Proactive Publications

The Secretariat ensured that the following proactive publication legislative requirements were met during the reporting period with the assistance of its Finance team:

  • Travel expenses;
  • Hospitality expenses; an
  • Contracts over $10,000.

To assist the Secretariat’s ATIP Office in meeting its overall legislative obligations, the Secretariat relied on a collaborative internal group of subject matter experts from all divisions.

Delegation Order

As the Head of the Secretariat, the Executive Director is responsible for the administration of the ATIA within the institution. Pursuant to section 95 of the ATIA, the Executive Director has delegated the ATIP Director, the ATIP Senior Advisor, the ATIP Coordinator, as well as individuals acting in these positions to perform certain and specific powers, duties, and functions for the administration of the Act. These positions have limited delegation of authority under the ATIA and the Privacy Act in accordance with the delegation of authority instrument approved by the Executive Director in October 2024. A copy of the Delegation Order can be found in Annex A.

Performance under Part 1 of the ATIA, 2024-2025

Performance in Processing Access Requests

During the reporting period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the Secretariat received 93 formal access to information requests, in addition to 6 requests carried over from previous reporting periods, for a total of 99 requests. Of these, the ATIP Office closed 36 requests and processed approximately 2,055 pages. Sixty-three (63) requests were carried over into the next reporting period, 6 of which remained within the legislated timelines.

The number of formal requests received during this reporting period represented a significant increase compared to previous years. For context, only 16 formal requests were received in the prior reporting period.

Statistical Reports for 2024-2025

The Secretariat’s 2024-2025 Statistical Report on the ATIA and Supplemental ATIP Statistical Report for 2024-2025 were both validated by the Treasury Board Secretariat in July 2025.

Extensions

During the reporting period, while processing 16 requests, The Secretariat’s ATIP Office invoked extensions as follows: three (3) under paragraph 9(1)(a), 13 under 9(1)(b), and zero (0) under 9(1)(c):

  • Two (2) extensions of 30 days or less;
  • Four (4) extensions of 31 to 60 days;
  • Nine (9) extensions of 61 to 120 days;
  • Zero (0) extensions 121 to 180 days;
  • Zero (0) extensions of 181 to 365 days; and
  • One (1) extension of over 365 days

The responses to many requests required an intensive review of complex records, including extensive internal and external consultations due to a significant portion of the Secretariat’s information holdings consisting of sensitive and classified records created or originally received by other government institutions owing to NSIRA’s mandate.

Completion Time of Completed Requests 

Of the 36 requests completed during the reporting period: 

  • 26 requests, or 72.2% of the requests completed, were disclosed in part. 5 requests were completed within 0 to 15 days, 6 requests were completed within 16 to 30 days, 1 request was completed within 31 to 60 days, 8 requests were completed within 61 to 120 days, 4 requests were completed within 121 to 180 days, 1 request was completed within 181 to 365 days, and 1 request was completed after 365 days; 
  • 8 requests, 22.2% of the requests completed, resulted in no records. 2 requests were completed within 16 to 30 days, 3 requests were completed within 31 to 60 days, and 3 requests were completed within 61 to 120 days; 
  • 1 request, or 2.7% of the requests completed, were abandoned and completed within 121 to 180 days; and 
  • 1 request, 2.7% of the requests completed, was neither confirmed nor denied and completed within 16 to 30 days. 

Trends in Information Requests

The Secretariat reinforced NSIRA’s commitment to transparency by informing the public that its reports are accessible under the Access to Information Act. As a result, 89% of the 93 requests received were for a NSIRA report, while the remaining 11% pertained to other information under the Secretariat’s control, such as former Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) reports. In total, 83 of the requests received were specifically for NSIRA reports. For a visual representation, see Table 2 below.

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s on-time response rate increased to 47.2% from 18.7% from the 2023-2024 reporting period.

Consultations

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office received 18 consultation requests from other government institutions, consisting of 656 pages. 6 requests were completed within 0 to 15 days, 8 requests were completed within 16 to 30 days, 1 request was completed within 61 to 120 days, and 3 requests were carried over into the following reporting period.

Out of the 18 consultation requests received, ten (10) consultation requests consisted of records contained within a NSIRA report, and the remaining eight (8) consultation requests consisted of records of considerable interest to the Secretariat.

Requests Treated Informally

In addition to 13 informal requests that were outstanding from the previous reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office received 69 informal requests, bringing the total number of informal requests to 82. During the reporting period, 71 informal requests were closed consisting of 6,879 pages, and 11 informal requests were carried over into the following reporting period.

Complaints and Investigations of Access Requests

Subsection 30(1) of the ATIA describes how the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) receives and investigates complaints from individuals regarding the processing of requests under the ATIA. The Secretariat’s ATIP Office was the subject of 4 access complaints during the reporting period. The Office of the Information Commissioner made a determination in favour of the Secretariat’s ATIP Office for 3 of these complaints during
the reporting period, while 1 complaint remained under investigation on March 31, 2025.

Training and Awareness

The Secretariat continued to adopt a tailored approach to training subject matter experts on their legislative obligations, roles, and responsibilities under the Access to Information Act (ATIA). Employees were encouraged to complete ATIP training courses offered by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). In March 2025, the ATIP Office delivered an interactive training session to all staff, focusing on the interpretation and application of
specific ATIA exemptions, including section 15 (International Affairs and Defence). The ATIP Office also regularly engaged with subject matter experts to assess the potential injury of disclosing limited and specific information within NSIRA reports subject to access requests.

New employees were required to complete the online training course Fundamentals of Access to Information and Privacy within six months of joining the Secretariat. Additionally, during onboarding sessions, the ATIP Office provided a brief overview of our roles and responsibilities within the Secretariat.

Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures

During the reporting period, the ATIP Office continued to improve efficiency-enhancing measures to assist with the increase of requests as well as respond to outstanding requests. The NSIRA Secretariat also updated the Delegation Order during the reporting period.

The Secretariat continued to engage with Library and Archives Canada on obtaining institution-specific disposition authorities.

Initiatives and Projects to Improve Access to Information

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s Information Technology Division continued to enhance the ATIP Office’s software tools on both the unclassified and classified networks. In addition, the Secretariat proactively published NSIRA reports that were requested under the Access to Information Act on its website, further promoting transparency and enabling public access to information without the need for formal or informal requests.

Summary of Key Issues and Actions Taken on Complaints

During the reporting period, the ATIP Office received four (4) Notices of Intention to Investigate from the OIC pursuant to section 32 of the ATIA. The OIC issued three (3) section 37 Final Reports, all of which concluded the complaints were not well founded. One (1) section 32 notice was carried over into the following reporting period.

Proactive Publication under Part 2 of the ATIA

In accordance with subsection 81(b) of the ATIA, the Secretariat is listed as a government entity subject to the following proactive publication requirements:

  • Travel expenses (section 82);
  • Hospitality expenses (section 83);
  • Reports tabled in Parliament (section 84);
  • Contracts over $10,000.00 (section 86);
  • Grants and Contributions over $25,000.00 (section 87); and
  • Briefing materials prepared for the Executive Director (section 88)
Proactive Publication Requirements Table
Legislative Requirement Section of ATIA Publication Timeline Does requirement apply to your institution? (Y/N) Internal group(s) or positions(s) responsible for fulfilling requirement % of proactive publication requirements published within legislated timelines* Link to web page where published **
Apply to all Government Institutions as defined in section 3 of the Access to Information Act
Travel Expenses 82 Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement Y Finance 100% open.canada.ca
Hospitality Expenses 83 Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement Y Finance 100% open.canada.ca
Reports tabled in Parliament 84 Within 30 days after tabling Y ATIP 100% NSIRA Website
Apply to government entities or Departments, agencies, and other bodies subject to the Act and listed in Schedules I, I.1, or II of the Financial Administration Act
Contracts over $10,000 86 Q1-3: Within 30 days after the quarter
Q4: Within 60 days after the quarter
Y Finance 80% open.canada.ca
Grants & Contributions over $25,000 87 Within 30 days after the quarter N
Packages of briefing materials prepared for new or incoming deputy heads or equivalent 88(a) Within 120 days after appointment N
Titles and reference numbers of memoranda prepared for a deputy head or equivalent, that is received by their office 88(b) Within 30 days after the end of the month received Y ATIP
Packages of briefing materials prepared for a deputy head or equivalent’s appearance before a committee of Parliament 88(c) Within 120 days after appointment Y ATIP

Monitoring Compliance

Legislative deadlines for access to information requests were closely monitored through the use of multiple Microsoft Lists trackers. In collaboration with the ATIP Senior Advisor, the ATIP Director organized any required meetings to review request-related activities, set deadlines, and ensure that all relevant personnel within the ATIP Office and, when applicable, across the Secretariat were informed of the status of requests. Additionally, the
ATIP Office held weekly meetings to strategize on meeting upcoming deadlines and to ensure accurate administration of statutory requirements and policy instruments. Compliance with legislative and policy obligations was also regularly raised and discussed by the ATIP Director during bi-weekly team meetings with the Secretariat’s Executive Director (Deputy Head) and the Senior Counsel, Internal Services.

Annex A: Delegation Order

Access to Information Act Designation Order

The Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat, pursuant to section 95 of the Access to Information Act*, hereby delegates the persons holding the positions or acting in the positions set out in the schedule hereto to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat as the head of a government institution under the provision of the Access to Information Act or the Access to Information Regulations set out in the schedule opposite each position.

Annex B: Statistical Report on the ATIA

Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act

Name of institution: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

Reporting period: 2023-04-01 – 2024-03-31

Section 1: Request Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Number of Requests
Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 93
Outstanding from previous reporting periods 6
• Outstanding from previous reporting period 5
• Outstanding from more than one reporting period 1
Total 99
Closed during reporting period 36
Carried over to next reporting period 63
• Carried over within legislated timeline 6
• Carried over beyond legislated timeline 57
1.2 Sources of requests
Source Number of Requests
Media 68
Academia 4
Business (private sector) 1
Organization 1
Public 12
Decline to Identify 7
Total 93
1.3 Channels of requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 12
E-mail 79
Mail 2
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 93

Section 2: Informal requests

2.1 Number of informal requests
Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 69
Outstanding from previous reporting periods 13
• Outstanding from previous reporting period 13
• Outstanding from more than one reporting period 0
Total 82
Closed during reporting period 71
Carried over to next reporting period 11
2.2 Channels of informal requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 53
E-mail 16
Mail 0
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 69
2.3 Completion time of informal requests
Completion Time
0 to 15 days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More than 365 Days Total
36 10 2 10 6 5 2 71
2.4 Pages released informally
Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
5 153 1 157 0 0 0 0 0 0
2.5 Pages re-released informally
Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
43 1125 22 5444 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 3: Applications to the Information Commissioner on Declining to Act on Requests

  Number of Requests
Outstanding from previous reporting period 0
Sent during reporting period 0
Total 0
Approved by the Information Commissioner during reporting period 0
Declined by the Information Commissioner during reporting period 0
Withdrawn during reporting period 0
Carried over to next reporting period 0

Section 4: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period

4.1 Disposition and completion time
Disposition of Requests Completion Time
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 5 6 1 8 4 1 1 26
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 2 3 3 0 0 0 8
Request transferred 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Decline to act with the approval of the Information Commisioner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 5 9 4 11 5 1 1 36
4.2 Exemptions
Section Numbers of Requests
13(1)(a) 11
13(1)(b) 0
13(1)(c) 0
13(1)(d) 0
13(1)(e) 0
14 0
14(a) 0
14(b) 0
15(1) 22
15(1) – I. A. * 3
15(1) – Def. * 7
15(1) – S.A. * 4
16(1)(a)(i) 6
16(1)(a)(ii) 0
16(1)(a)(iii) 0
16(1)(b) 9
16(1)(c) 9
16(1)(d) 0
16(2) 11
16(2)(a) 0
16(2)(b) 0
16(2)(c) 0
16(3) 0
16.1(1)(a) 0
16.1(1)(b) 0
16.1(1)(c) 0
16.1(1)(d) 0
16.2(1) 0
16.3 0
16.31 0
16.4(1)(a) 0
16.4(1)(b) 0
16.5 0
16.6 0
17 4
18(a) 0
18(b) 0
18(c) 0
18(d) 0
18.1(1)(a) 0
18.1(1)(b) 0
18.1(1)(c) 0
18.1(1)(d) 0
19(1) 1
20(1)(a) 0
20(1)(b) 0
20(1)(b.1) 0
20(1)(c) 0
20(1)(d) 0
20.1 0
20.2 0
20.4 0
21(1)(a) 2
21(1)(b) 0
21(1)(c) 0
21(1)(d) 0
22 0
22.1(1) 0
23 11
23.1 0
24(1) 0
26 0

* I.A.: International Affairs
* Def.: Defence of Canada
* S.A.: Subversive Activities

4.3 Exclusions
Section Numbers of Requests
68(a) 0
68(b) 0
68(c) 0
68.1 0
68.2(a) 0
68.2(b) 0
69(1) 0
69(1)(a) 0
69(1)(b) 0
69(1)(c) 0
69(1)(d) 0
69(1)(e) 0
69(1)(f) 0
69(1)(g) re (a) 0
69(1)(g) re (b) 0
69(1)(g) re (c) 0
69(1)(g) re (d) 0
69(1)(g) re (e) 0
69(1)(g) re (f) 0
69.1(1) 0
4.4 Format of information released
Paper Electronic Other
E-record Data set Video Audio
1 25 0 0 0 0
4.5 Complexity
4.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed for paper and e-record formats
Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Disclosed Number of Requests
2055 2055 28
4.5.2 Relevant pages processed per request disposition for paper and e-record formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 21 652 5 1403 0 0 0 0 0 14966
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 23 652 5 1403 0 0 0 0 1 14996
4.5.3 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
4.5.4 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 – 120 Minutes Processed More than 120 Minutes Processed
Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
4.5.5 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
4.5.6 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 – 120 Minutes Processed More than 120 Minutes Processed
Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
4.5.7 Other complexities
Disposition Consultation Required Legal Advice Sought Other Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0
4.6 Closed requests
4.6.1 Requests closed within legislated timelines
  Requests closed within legislated timelines
Number of requests closed within legislated timelines 17
Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines (%) 47.22222222
4.7 Deemed refusals
4.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines
Number of Requests Closed Past the Legislated Timelines Principal Reason
Interference with Operations/Workload External Consultation Internal Consultation Other
13 12 1 0 0
4.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)
Number of Days Past Legislated Timelines Number of Requests Past Legislated Timeline Where No Extension Was Taken Number of Requests Past Legislated Timeline Where an Extension Was Taken Total
1 to 15 Days 2 0 2
16 to 30 Days 0 0 0
31 to 60 Days 0 2 2
61 to 120 Days 0 8 8
121 to 180 Days 0 4 4
181 to 365 Days 1 0 1
More than 365 Days 2 0 0
Total 5 14 19
4.8 Requests for translation
Translation Requests Accepted Refused Total
English to French 0 0 0
French to English 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

Section 5: Extensions

5.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests
Disposition of Requests Where an Extension Was taken 9(1)(a) Interference With Operations/Workload 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(c) Third-Party Notice
Section 69 Other
All disclosed 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 2 0 12 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 1 0
No records exist 1 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0
Total 3 0 13 0
5.2 Length of extensions
Length of Extensions 9(1)(a) Interference With Operations/Workload 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(c) Third-Party Notice
Section 69 Other
30 days or less 2 0 0 0
31 to 60 days 0 0 4 0
61 to 120 days 0 0 9 0
121 to 180 days 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 days 0 0 0 0
365 days or more 1 0 0 0
Total 3 0 13 0

Section 6: Fees

Fee Type Fee Collected Fee Waived Fee Refunded
Number of Requests Amount Number of Requests Amount Number of Requests Amount
Application 14 $70.00 78 $390.00 0 $0.00
Other fees 0 $0.00 0 $0.00 0 $0.00
Total 14 $70.00 78 $390.00 0 $0.00

Section 7: Consultations Received From Other Institutions and Organizations

7.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations
Consultations Other Government of Canada Institutions Number of Pages to Review Other Organizations Number of Pages to Review
Received during reporting period 18 656 0 0
Outstanding from the previous reporting period 0 0 0 0
Total 18 656 0 0
Closed during the reporting period 15 551 0 0
Carried over within negotiated timelines 3 105 0 0
Carried over beyond negotiated timelines 0 0 0
7.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 8
Disclose in part 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 7
Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 6 8 0 1 0 0 0 15
7.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations outside the Government of Canada
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclose in part 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 8: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences

8.1 Requests with Legal Services
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8.2 Requests with Privy Council Office
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 9: Investigations and Reports of finding

9.1 Investigations
Section 32 Notice of intention to investigate Subsection 30(5) Ceased to investigate Section 35 Formal Representations
4 0 0
9.2 Investigations and Reports of finding
Section 37(1) Initial Reports Section 37(2) Final Reports
Received Containing recommendations issued by the Information Commissioner Containing orders issued by the Information Commissioner Received Containing recommendations issued by the Information Commissioner Containing orders issued by the Information Commissioner
0 0 0 3 0 0

Section 10: Court Action

10.1 Court actions on complaints
Section 41
Complainant (1) Institution (2) Third Party (3) Privacy Commissioner (4) Total
0 0 0 0 0
10.2 Court actions on third party notifications under paragraph 28(1)(b)
Section 44 – under paragraph 28(1)(b)
0
11.1 Allocated Costs
Ependitures Number of Requests
Salaries $110,000
Overtime $0
Goods and Services $220,000
• Professional services contracts $220,000
• Other $0
Total $330,000
11.2 Human Resources
Resources Person Years Dedicated to Access to Information Activities
Full-time employees 1.000
Part-time and casual employees 1.000
Regional Staff 0.000
Consultants and agency personnel 1.000
Students 0.500
Total 3.500

Note: Enter values to three decimal places.

Appendix C: Supplemental Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act

Section 1: Requests Carried Over and Active Complaints Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Requests carried over to next reporting period, broken down by reporting period received
Reporting Period Requests Carried Over Were Received Requests Carried Over that are Within Legislated Timelines as March 31, 2025 Requests Carried Over that are Beyond Legislated Timelines as of March 31, 2025 Total
Received in 2024-25 6 56 62
Received in 2023-24 0 0 0
Received in 2022-23 0 0 0
Received in 2021-22 0 1 1
Received in 2020-21 0 0 0
Received in 2019-20 0 0 0
Received in 2018-19 0 0 0
Received in 2017-18 0 0 0
Received in 2016-17 0 0 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0 0 0
Total 6 57 63

Row 11, Col. 3 of Section 1.1 must equal Row 7, Col. 1 of Section 1.1 of the 2024-25 Statistical Report on the Access Report on the Access to Information Act

1.2 Active complaints with the Information Commissioner of Canada, broken down by reporting period received
Fiscal Year Open Complaints were received by institutions Number of Open Complaints
Received in 2024-25 1
Received in 2023-24 0
Received in 2022-23 0
Received in 2021-22 0
Received in 2020-21 0
Received in 2019-20 0
Received in 2018-19 0
Received in 2017-18 0
Received in 2016-17 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0
Total 1

Section 2: Requests Carried Over and Active Complaints Under the Privacy Act

2.1 Requests carried over to the next reporting period, broken down by reporting period received
Reporting Period Requests Carried Over Were Received Requests Carried Over that are Within Legislated Timelines as March 31, 2025 Requests Carried Over that are Beyond Legislated Timelines as of March 31, 2025 Total
Received in 2024-25 8 0 8
Received in 2023-24 0 0 0
Received in 2022-23 0 0 0
Received in 2021-22 0 0 0
Received in 2020-21 0 0 0
Received in 2019-20 0 0 0
Received in 2018-19 0 0 0
Received in 2017-18 0 0 0
Received in 2016-17 0 0 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0 0 0
Total 8 0 8

Row 11, Col. 3 of Section 1.1 must equal Row 7, Col. 1 of Section 1.1 of the 2024-25 Statistical Report on the Privacy Act

2.2 Enter the number of open complaints with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada that are outstanding from previous reporting periods
Reporting Period Active Complaints Were Received by Institutions Number of Active Complaints
Received in 2024-25 0
Received in 2023-24 0
Received in 2022-23 0
Received in 2021-22 0
Received in 2020-21 0
Received in 2019-20 0
Received in 2018-19 0
Received in 2017-18 0
Received in 2016-17 0
Received in 2015-16 or earlier 0
Total 0

Section 3: Social Insurance Number

Has your institution begun a new collection or a new consistent use of the SIN in 2024-25? No

Section 4: Universal Access under the Privacy Act

How many requests were received from foreign nationals outside of Canada in 2024-25? 0
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Date Modified:

Annual Report on the Access to Information Act 2023–24

Annual Report on the Access to Information Act 2023–24


Date of Publishing:

Introduction

The Access to Information Act (ATIA) gives Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as any person or corporation present in Canada, the right of access to information under the control of a government institution, subject to certain specific and limited exemptions and exclusions.

Section 94 of the ATIA requires the head of each government institution to prepare an annual report on the administration of the ATIA within the institution that is to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament. In addition, section 20 of the Service Fees Act requires the responsible authority to report to Parliament each fiscal year on all statutory fees processed during the reporting period.

This report to Parliament, which is prepared and tabled pursuant to section 94 of the ATIA and section 20 of the Service Fees Act, describes the activities of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat in administering these Acts during the period of April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 (the reporting period).

If you require more information or wish to make a request under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act, please direct your inquiries to the following:

Access to Information and Privacy Office
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D” Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5W5
Email: ATIP@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Who we are

Established in July 2019, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) is an independent agency that reports to Parliament and conducts investigations and reviews of the federal government’s national security and intelligence activities.

The NSIRA Secretariat (the Secretariat) assists NSIRA in fulfilling its mandate. The Secretariat headed by an Executive Director, is designated as the government institution for the purposes of administering the ATIA and the Privacy Act.

Mandate

The Secretariat supports NSIRA in its dual mandate to conduct reviews and investigations in relation to Canada’s national security or intelligence activities.

Reviews

NSIRA’s review mandate is broad, as outlined in subsection 8(1) of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act (NSIRA Act). This mandate includes reviewing the activities of both the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), as well as the national security or intelligence-related activities of any other federal department or agency. This includes, but is not limited to, the national security or intelligence activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Department of Justice. Further, NSIRA may review any national security or intelligence matter that a Minister of the Crown refers to NSIRA.

NSIRA’s reviews assess whether Canada’s national security and intelligence activities comply with relevant laws, policies, and ministerial directions, as well as whether they are reasonable and necessary. In conducting its reviews, NSIRA can make any findings or recommendations it considers appropriate.

Investigations

NSIRA is also responsible for investigating national security or intelligence-related complaints from members of the public. As outlined in paragraph 8(1)(d) of the NSIRA Act, NSIRA has the mandate to investigate complaints about:

  • any activity of CSIS or of CSE;
  • decisions to deny or revoke certain federal government security clearances;
  • any complaint referred under subsection 45.53(4.1) or 45.67(2.1) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act,
  • reports made under section 19 of the Citizenship Act, and
  • matters referred under section 45 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Access to Information and Privacy Office – Organizational Structure

The Secretariat’s ATIP Office is accountable for the development and implementation of effective policies, guidelines, systems, and procedures to ensure that the Secretariat meets its responsibilities under the ATIA and the Privacy Act.

For the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office consisted of:

  • 1 full-time Access to Information Consultant;
  • 1 part-time Privacy Consultant;
  • 1 full-time ATIP Coordinator, who managed the Secretariat’s ATIP Office, and fulfilled the normal duties as Manager of Administrative Services for the Secretariat and NSIRA Members; and
  • the Secretariat’s Senior Counsel, Internal Services as well as Senior General Counsel supported the Secretariat’s ATIP Office when required.

The Secretariat’s ATIP Office is responsible for the following:

  • monitoring compliance with ATIP legislation and relevant procedures and policies;
  • processing requests under both the ATIA and the Privacy Act;
  • developing and maintaining policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure that the Secretariat respects the ATIA and the Privacy Act;
  • maintaining Personal Information Banks and conducting privacy impact assessments;
  • preparing annual reports to Parliament and other statutory reports, as well as other materials that might be required by central agencies; and
  • representing the Secretariat in dealings with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), the information and privacy commissioners, and other government departments and agencies in matters pertaining to the ATIA and the Privacy Act.

During the reporting period, the Secretariat was a party to a service agreement under section 96 of the ATIA in which the Secretariat received administrative support from the Privy Council Office related to the tabling of the Annual Report in Parliament. The Secretariat was also a party to a service agreement under section 92 of the ATIA, in which the Secretariat received ATIP Online services from TBS.

Part 2: Proactive Publications

The Secretariat ensured that the following proactive publication legislative requirements were met during the reporting period with the assistance of its Finance division:

  • travel expenses;
  • hospitality expenses;
  • reports tabled in Parliament; and
  • contracts over $10,000.00

To assist the Secretariat’s ATIP Office in meeting its overall legislative obligations, the Secretariat relied on a collaborative internal group of subject matter experts from all divisions.

Delegation Order

As the Head of the Secretariat, the Executive Director is responsible for the administration of the ATIA within the institution. Pursuant to section 95 of the ATIA, the Executive Director has delegated the ATIP Manager and ATIP Officer, as well as individuals acting in these positions, to perform certain and specific powers, duties, and functions for the administration of the ATIA. These positions have limited delegation of authority under the ATIA and the Privacy Act, in accordance with the delegation of authority instrument approved by the Executive Director in August 2022. The Delegation Order can be found in Appendix A (page 13).

Performance 2023-2024

Performance in Processing Access Requests

In addition to 5 requests that were outstanding from previous reporting periods, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office received 16 formal requests during the current reporting period, bringing the total number of formal requests to 21. Of these, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office closed 16 requests and processed approximately 15,323 pages during the reporting period. 5 requests were carried over to the following reporting period, 3 of the carried over requests were received during the reporting period.

Statistical Reports for 2023-2024

The Secretariat’s 2023-2024 Statistical Report on the ATIA and Supplemental ATIP Statistical Report for 2023-2024 were both previously validated by TBS.

Extensions and Completion Time of Closed Requests

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office invoked extensions while processing 7 formal requests: 5 extensions of 31 to 60 days, 0 extensions of 61 to 120 days, 1 extension of 121 to 180 days, 0 extensions of 181 to 365 days, and 1 extension of 365 days or more, all of which required extensions to consult with third parties.

Of the requests completed during the reporting period,

  • 1 request, or 6.25% of the requests completed, was disclosed in its entirety. This request was completed within 181 to 365 days;
  • 5 requests, or 31.25% of the requests completed, were disclosed in part. 1 request was completed within 16 to 30 days, 1 request was completed within 61 to 120 days, 1 request was completed within 121 to 180 days, and 2 requests were completed after 365 days;
  • 0 requests, or 0% of the requests completed, were all exempted;
  • 10 requests, or 62.50% of the requests completed, resulted in no records. 1 request was completed within 16 to 30 days, 2 request were completed within 31 to 60 days, and 7 requests were completed within 61 to 120 days;
  • 0 requests, or 0% of the requests completed, were abandoned and completed; and
  • 0 requests, or 0% of the requests completed, were neither confirmed nor denied.

The responses to many requests required an intensive review of complex records, including extensive internal and external consultations due to a significant portion of the Secretariat’s information holdings consisting of sensitive and classified records created or originally received by other government institutions owing to NSIRA’s mandate. During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s on-time response rate decreased to 18.7% from 33.3% in the 2022-2023 reporting year due to a significant increase in the number of pages processed for formal requests.

Consultations

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office received 20 consultation requests from other government institutions. 3 requests were completed within 0 to 15 days, 3 requests were completed within 16 to 30 days, 5 requests were completed within 31 to 60 days, 8 requests were completed within 61 to 120 days, and 1 request was completed within 121 to 180 days. The Secretariat’s ATIP Office closed all 20 consultations during the reporting period and processed approximately 549 pages.

Requests Treated Informally

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s ATIP Office received 18 informal requests for records previously released under the ATIA, closed 6 informal requests, and carried over 12 informal requests into the 2024-2025 reporting period.

Complaints and Investigations of Access Requests

Subsection 30(1) of the ATIA describes how the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) receives and investigates complaints from individuals regarding the processing of requests under the ATIA. The Secretariat’s ATIP Office received 3 access complaints during the reporting period. 1 of these complaints was discontinued during the reporting period, while the other 2 complaints remained active on March 31, 2024.

Training and Awareness

The Secretariat took a customized approach to training subject matter experts on their legislative requirements, roles, and responsibilities. The Secretariat’s ATIP Office encouraged employees to take the ATIP training courses offered by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). The Executive Director held an awareness session for the Secretariat’s management team on the new Directive on Proactive Publication in the Fall of 2023 and senior management was briefed on Amending the Access to Information Regulations in June 2023. In addition, new employees were required to complete an online training session entitled Fundamentals of Access to Information and Privacy within six months of joining the Secretariat and in January 2024, an internal ATIP training session was held.

Policies, Guidelines, and Procedures

The Secretariat’s ATIP Office implemented certain efficiency-enhancing measures, such as online tracking tools, and continued to seek new opportunities to improve the efficiency and timeliness of request processing. For example, the Executive Director designated two officials within the Secretariat who were responsible for supporting the Executive Director’s accountability for proactive publication under various policies and guidelines specified under the ATIA.

The Secretariat continued to engaged with Library and Archives Canada on obtaining institution-specific disposition authorities.

Proactive Publication under Part 2 of the ATIA

In accordance with subsection 81(b) of the ATIA, the Secretariat is listed as a government entity subject to the following proactive publication requirements:

  • Travel expenses (section 82);
  • Hospitality expenses (section 83);
  • Reports tabled in Parliament (section 84);
  • Contracts over $10,000.00 (section 86);
  • Grants and Contributions over $25,000.00 (section 87); and
  • Briefing materials (section 88)

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s proactive publications were published on open.canada.ca. of the total proactive publication requirements that were due during the reporting period, 80% were published within the legislated timelines.

Legislative Requirement Section Publication Timeline Institutional Requirement
All Government Institutions as defined in section 3 of the Access to Information Act
Travel Expenses 82 Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement open.canada.ca
Hospitality Expenses 83 Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement open.canada.ca
Reports tabled in Parliament 84 Within 30 days after tabling open.canada.ca
Government entities or Departments, agencies, and other bodies subject to the Act and listed in Schedules I, I.1, or II of the Financial Administration Act
Contracts over $10,000 86 Q1-3: Within 30 days after the quarter
Q4: Within 60 days after the quarter
open.canada.ca
Grants & Contributions over $25,000 87 Within 30 days after the quarter N/A
Packages of briefing materials prepared for new or incoming deputy heads or equivalent 88(a) Within 120 days after appointment N/A
Titles and reference numbers of memoranda prepared for a deputy head or equivalent, that is received by their office 88(b) Within 30 days after the end of the month received N/A
Packages of briefing materials prepared for a deputy head or equivalent’s appearance before a committee of Parliament 88(c) Within 120 days after appearance N/A
Government institutions that are departments named in Schedule I to the Financial Administration Act or portions of the core public administration named in Schedule IV to that Act
Reclassification of positions 85 Within 30 days after the quarter N/A
Ministers
Packages of briefing materials prepared by a government institution for new or incoming ministers 74(a) Within 120 days after appointment N/A
Titles and reference numbers of memoranda prepared by a government institution for the minister, that is received by their office 74(b) Within 30 days after the end of the month received N/A
Package of question period notes prepared by a government institution for the minister and in use on the last sitting day of the House of Commons in June and December 74(c) Within 30 days after last sitting day of the House of Commons in June and December N/A
Packages of briefing materials prepared by a government institution for a minister’s appearance before a committee of Parliament 74(d) Within 120 days after appearance N/A
Travel Expenses 75 Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement N/A
Hospitality Expenses 76 Within 30 days after the end of the month of reimbursement N/A
Contracts over $10,000 77 Q1-3: Within 30 days after the quarter
Q4: Within 60 days after the quarter
N/A
Ministers’ Offices Expenses 78 Within 120 days after the fiscal year N/A

Initiatives and Projects to Improve Access to Information

During the reporting period, the Secretariat’s Information Technology division continued to improve our ATIP software tool for the Secretariat’s classified and unclassified systems.

Summary of Key Issues and Actions Taken on Complaints

During the reporting period, 3 complaints were received. 1 complaint was discontinued during the reporting period, while the other 2 complaints remained active on March 31, 2024.

Access to Information Act Fees for the Purposes of the Service Fees Act

The Service Fees Act requires a responsible authority to report annually to Parliament on the fees collected by the institution.

With respect to fees collected under the ATIA, the information below is reported in accordance with the requirements of section 20 of the Service Fees Act:

  • Enabling authority: Access to Information Act
  • Fee payable: $5.00 application fee is the only fee charged for an ATI request
  • Total revenue: $65.00
  • Fees waived: $15.00
  • Cost of operating the program: $360,421.00

Monitoring Compliance

Legislative deadlines for access to information requests were strictly monitored by using several Microsoft Lists trackers, as were proactive publication requirements. The ATIP Manager organized ad hoc meetings to discuss request-related activities (such as whether internal consultations were necessary), determine deadlines, and ensure that all division members were informed of the status of requests. At bi-weekly team meetings with the Senior General Counsel and Senior Counsel, Internal Services, the ATIP Manager raised and discussed compliance with legislative and policy obligations. The Executive Director was also briefed on all ATIP compliance issues.

During the reporting period, the Secretariat also continued to assess the feasibility of making information previously released under the ATIA available on its public-facing website.

Appendix A: Delegation Order

Access to Information Act Designation Order

The Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, pursuant to section 95 of the Access to Information Act, hereby designates the persons holding the positions or acting in these positions, set out in the schedule hereto to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency as the head of a government institution under the section of the Access to Information Act set out in the schedule opposite each position.

Privacy Act Designation Order

The Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency, pursuant to section 73 of the Privacy Act, hereby designates the persons holding the positions or acting in these positions, set out in the schedule hereto to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the Executive Director of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency as the head of a government institution under the section of the Privacy Act set out in the schedule opposite each position.

Appendix B: 2023-2024 Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act

Name of institution: National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

Reporting period: 2023-04-01 – 2024-03-31

Section 1: Request Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Number of Requests
  Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 16
Outstanding from previous reporting period 3
Outstanding from more than one reporting period 2
Total 21
Closed during reporting period 16
Carried over to next reporting period 5
Carried over within legislated timeline 3
Carried over beyond legislated timeline 2
1.2 Sources of requests
Source Number of Requests
Media 2
Academia 3
Business (private sector) 2
Organization 1
Public 8
Decline to Identify 0
Total 16
1.3 Channels of requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 12
E-mail 0
Mail 4
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 16

Section 2: Informal requests

2.1 Number of informal requests
  Number of Requests
Received during reporting period 18
Outstanding from previous reporting periods 0
Outstanding from more than one reporting period 0
Total 18
Closed during reporting period 6
Carried over to next reporting period 12
2.2 Channels of informal requests
Source Number of Requests
Online 11
E-Mail 7
Mail 0
In person 0
Phone 0
Fax 0
Total 18
2.3 Completion time of informal requests
Completion Time
1 to 15 days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More than 365 Days Total
0 2 0 4 0 0 0 6
2.4 Pages released informally
Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
2 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2.5 Pages re-released informally
Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
4 93 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 3: Applications to the Information Commissioner on Declining to Act on Requests

  Number of Requests
Outstanding from previous reporting period 0
Sent during reporting period 1
Total 1
Approved by the Information Commissioner during reporting period 0
Declined by the Information Commissioner during reporting period 1
Withdrawn during reporting period 0
Carried over to next reporting period 0

Section 4: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period

4.1 Disposition and completion time
Disposition of Requests Completion Time
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Disclosed in part 0 1 0 1 1 0 2 5
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 1 2 7 0 0 0 10
Request transferred 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Decline to act with the approval of the Information Commisioner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 2 2 8 1 1 2 16
4.2 Exemptions
Section Numbers of Requests
13(1)(a) 1
13(1)(b) 0
13(1)(c) 0
13(1)(d) 0
13(1)(e) 0
14 0
14(a) 0
14(b) 0
15(1) – I. A. * 1
15(1) – Def. * 2
15(1) – S.A. * 0
16(1)(a)(i) 2
16(1)(a)(ii) 0
16(1)(a)(iii) 1
16(1)(b) 1
16(1)(c) 1
16(1)(d) 0
16(2) 0
16(2)(a) 0
16(2)(b) 0
16(2)(c) 0
16(3) 0
16.1(1)(a) 0
16.1(1)(b) 0
16.1(1)(c) 0
16.1(1)(d) 0
16.2(1) 0
16.3 0
16.31 0
16.4(1)(a) 0
16.4(1)(b) 0
16.5 0
16.6 0
17 0
18(a) 0
18(b) 0
18(c) 0
18(d) 0
18.1(1)(a) 0
18.1(1)(b) 0
18.1(1)(c) 0
18.1(1)(d) 0
19(1) 2
20(1)(a) 0
20(1)(b) 0
20(1)(b.1) 0
20(1)(c) 0
20(1)(d) 0
20.1 0
20.2 0
20.4 0
21(1)(a) 2
21(1)(b) 0
21(1)(c) 0
21(1)(d) 0
22 0
22.1(1) 0
23 3
23.1 0
24(1) 1
26 0

* I.A.: International Affairs
* Def.: Defence of Canada
* S.A.: Subversive Activities

4.3 Exclusions
Section Numbers of Requests
68(a) 0
68(b) 0
68(c) 0
68.1 0
68.2(a) 0
68.2(b) 0
69(1) 0
69(1)(a) 0
69(1)(b) 0
69(1)(c) 0
69(1)(d) 0
69(1)(e) 0
69(1)(f) 0
69(1)(g) re (a) 0
69(1)(g) re (b) 0
69(1)(g) re (c) 0
69(1)(g) re (d) 0
69(1)(g) re (e) 0
69(1)(g) re (f) 0
69.1(1) 0
4.4 Format of information released
Paper Electronic Other
E-record Data set Video Audio
1 5 0 0 0 0
4.5 Complexity
4.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed for paper and e-record formats
Number of Pages Processed Number of Pages Disclosed Number of Requests
15323 15323 6
4.5.2 Relevant pages processed per request disposition for paper and e-record formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
All disclosed 1 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 3 185 1 102 0 0 0 0 0 14966
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 4 225 1 102 0 0 0 0 1 14996
4.5.3 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for audio formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
4.5.4 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for audio formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 – 120 Minutes Processed More than 120 Minutes Processed
Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
4.5.5 Relevant minutes processed and disclosed for video formats
Number of Minutes Processed Number of Minutes Disclosed Number of Requests
0 0 0
4.5.6 Relevant minutes processed per request disposition for video formats by size of requests
Disposition Less Than 60 Minutes Processed 60 – 120 Minutes Processed More than 120 Minutes Processed
Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed Number of Requests Minutes Processed
All disclosed 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 0 0 0 0 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0
4.5.7 Other complexities
Disposition Consultation Required Legal Advice Sought Other Total
All disclosed 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 2 4 0 6
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0
Neither confirmed nor denied 0 0 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0
Total 2 4 0 6
4.6 Closed requests
4.6.1 Requests closed within legislated timelines
  Requests closed within legislated timelines
Number of requests closed within legislated timelines 3
Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines (%) 18.75
4.7 Deemed refusals
4.7.1 Reasons for not meeting legislated timelines
Number of Requests Closed Past the Legislated Timelines Principal Reason
Interference with Operations/Workload External Consultation Internal Consultation Other
13 12 1 0 0
4.7.2 Requests closed beyond legislated timelines (including any extension taken)
Number of Days Past Legislated Timelines Number of Requests Past Legislated Timeline Where No Extension Was Taken Number of Requests Past Legislated Timeline Where an Extension Was Taken Total
1 to 15 Days 0 0 0
16 to 30 Days 1 0 1
31 to 60 Days 2 5 7
61 to 120 Days 2 0 2
121 to 180 Days 0 1 1
181 to 365 Days 1 0 1
More than 365 Days 0 1 1
Total 6 7 13
4.8 Requests for translation
Translation Requests Accepted Refused Total
English to French 0 0 0
French to English 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0

Section 5: Extensions

5.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests
Disposition of Requests Where an Extension Was taken 9(1)(a) Interference With Operations/Workload 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(c) Third-Party Notice
Section 69 Other
All disclosed 0 0 0 0
Disclosed in part 3 3 0 0
All exempted 0 0 0 0
All excluded 0 0 0 0
Request abandoned 0 0 0 0
No records exist 0 1 0 0
Declined to act with the approval of the Information Commissioner 0 0 0 0
Total 3 4 0 0
5.2 Length of extensions
Length of Extensions 9(1)(a) Interference With Operations/Workload 9(1)(b) Consultation 9(1)(c) Third-Party Notice
Section 69 Other
30 days or less 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 days 3 2 0 0
61 to 120 days 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 days 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 days 0 0 0 0
365 days or more 0 0 0 0
Total 3 4 0 0

Section 6: Fees

Fee Type Fee Collected Fee Waived Fee Refunded
Number of Requests Amount Number of Requests Amount Number of Requests Amount
Application 13 $65.00 3 $0.00 0 $0.00
Other fees 0 $0.00 0 $0.00 0 $0.00
Total 13 $65.00 3 $0.00 0 $0.00

Section 7: Consultations Received From Other Institutions and Organizations

7.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations
Consultations Other Government of Canada Institutions Number of Pages to Review Other Organizations Number of Pages to Review
Received during reporting period 20 549 0 0
Outstanding from the previous reporting period 0 0 0 0
Total 4 189 0 0
Closed during the reporting period 20 549 0 0
Carried over within negotiated timelines 0 0 0 0
Carried over beyond negotiated timelines 0 0 0 0
7.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 4
Disclose in part 3 1 4 6 1 0 0 15
Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 3 3 5 8 1 0 0 20
7.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations outside the Government of Canada
Recommendation Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests
1 to 15 Days 16 to 30 Days 31 to 60 Days 61 to 120 Days 121 to 180 Days 181 to 365 Days More Than 365 Days Total
Disclose entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Disclose in part 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exempt entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exclude entirely 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Consult other institution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 8: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences

8.1 Requests with Legal Services
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8.2 Requests with Privy Council Office
Number of Days Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed 101-500 Pages Processed 501-1000 Pages Processed 1001-5000 Pages Processed More Than 5000 Pages Processed
Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed Number of Requests Pages Disclosed
1 to 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 to 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
31 to 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
61 to 120 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
121 to 180 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
181 to 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More than 365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Section 9: Investigations and Reports of finding

9.1 Investigations
Section 32 Notice of intention to investigate Subsection 30(5) Ceased to investigate Section 35 Formal Representations
2 1 0
9.2 Investigations and Reports of finding
Section 37(1) Initial Reports Section 37(2) Final Reports
Received Containing recommendations issued by the Information Commissioner Containing orders issued by the Information Commissioner Received Containing recommendations issued by the Information Commissioner Containing orders issued by the Information Commissioner
0 0 0 2 0 0

Section 10: Court Action

10.1 Court actions on complaints
Section 41
Complainant (1) Institution (2) Third Party (3) Privacy Commissioner (4) Total
0 0 0 0 0
10.2 Court actions on third party notifications under paragraph 28(1)(b)
Section 44 – under paragraph 28(1)(b)
0
11.1 Allocated Costs
Expenditures Amount
Salaries $90,000
Overtime $0
Goods and Services $270,421
Professional services contracts $270,421
Other $0
Total $360,421
11.2 Human Resources
Resources Person Years Dedicated to Access to Information Activities
Full-time employees 0.000
Part-time and casual employees 1.000
Regional Staff 0.000
Consultants and agency personnel 1.000
Students 0.500
Total 2.500

Note: Enter values to three decimal places.

Appendix C: Supplemental Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act

Section 1: Open Requests and Complaints Under the Access to Information Act

1.1 Enter the number of open requests that are outstanding from previous reporting periods
Fiscal Year Open Requests Were Received Open Requests that are Within Legislated Timelines as March 31, 2024 Open Requests that are Beyond Legislated Timelines as of March 31, 2024 Total
Received in 2023-24 3 0 3
Received in 2022-23 0 1 1
Received in 2021-22 0 0 0
Received in 2020-21 0 1 1
Received in 2019-20 0 0 0
Received in 2018-19 0 0 0
Received in 2017-18 0 0 0
Received in 2016-17 0 0 0
Received in 2015-16 0 0 0
Received in 2014-15 or earlier 0 0 0
Total 3 2 5
1.2 Enter the number of open complaints with the Information Commissioner of Canada that are outstanding from previous reporting periods
Fiscal Year Open Complaints were received by institutions Number of Open Complaints
Received in 2023-24 0
Received in 2022-23 0
Received in 2021-22 0
Received in 2020-21 0
Received in 2019-20 0
Received in 2018-19 0
Received in 2017-18 0
Received in 2016-17 0
Received in 2015-16 0
Received in 2014-15 or earlier 0
Total 0

Section 2: Open Requests and Complaints Under the Privacy Act

2.1 Number of open requests that are outstanding from previous reporting periods.
Fiscal Year Open Requests Were Received Open Requests that are Within Legislated Timelines as March 31, 2024 Open Requests that are Beyond Legislated Timelines as of March 31, 2024 Total
Received in 2023-24 2 0 2
Received in 2022-23 0 0 0
Received in 2021-22 0 0 0
Received in 2020-21 0 0 0
Received in 2019-20 0 0 0
Received in 2018-19 0 0 0
Received in 2017-18 0 0 0
Received in 2016-17 0 0 0
Received in 2015-16 0 0 0
Received in 2014-15 or earlier 0 0 0
Total 2 0 2
2.2 Enter the number of open complaints with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada that are outstanding from previous reporting periods
Fiscal Year Open Complaints were received by institutions Number of Open Complaints
Received in 2023-24 0
Received in 2022-23 7
Received in 2021-22 0
Received in 2020-21 0
Received in 2019-20 0
Received in 2018-19 0
Received in 2017-18 0
Received in 2016-17 0
Received in 2015-16 0
Received in 2014-15 or earlier 0
Total 7

Section 3: Social Insurance Number

Has your institution begun a new collection or a new consistent use of the SIN in 2023-24? No
How many requests were received from foreign nationals outside of Canada in 2023-24? 0
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Canadian Security Intelligence Service Lifecycle of Warranted Information: Report

Canadian Security Intelligence Service Lifecycle of Warranted Information


Report

Table of Contents

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Canadian Security Intelligence Service Lifecycle of Warranted Information: Backgrounder

Canadian Security Intelligence Service Lifecycle of Warranted Information


Backgrounder

Backgrounder

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) examined how the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) manages data collected under a Federal Court warrant. This review focused on the entire lifecycle of warranted information, meaning the full journey of data from the moment it is collected, through its processing, analysis, use, storage, and eventual retention or disposal.  

What the Review Looked At 

NSIRA followed how CSIS handled data collected through a specific technology, beginning with its initial acquisition under a warrant, continuing through how the information was processed and used to support intelligence activities, and ending with how and where it was stored, retained, or disposed of. 

The purpose of the review was to assess whether CSIS respected all relevant legal requirements, ministerial directions, policies, and internal procedures at each stage of this lifecycle. 

What NSIRA Found 

  • Weak data management practices: CSIS did not have strong enough planning or systems in place to properly manage and store the data. This led to the agency keeping data without a clear legal authority to do so. 
  • Lack of required consultation: CSIS used a new technology without first consulting Public Safety Canada, as required by the Ministerial Direction on Accountability. 
  • Incomplete information to decision-makers: CSIS described this new technology as simply an update to an existing one. As a result, it did not inform Public Safety Canada or the Federal Court in time about how much more data it could collect. 
  • Failure to notify the Federal Court: CSIS did not inform the court about the new technology before using it under a warrant. 

Why This Matters 

After the Federal Court approves a CSIS warrant, NSIRA is the only agency that can independently review how these powers are used and make sure CSIS follows the conditions set out in the warrant, as well as applicable law and policies. These reviews help the Federal Court make sure its decisions are being followed properly. 

As CSIS continues to adopt new and more advanced technologies, NSIRA highlighted the need for strong data management, clear governance, and timely communication with both the Minister and the Federal Court. 

The review contains 9 recommendations to help strengthen CSIS’s governance, accountability, and compliance in managing collected data. If these measures are not followed, it could lead to legal non-compliance and a loss of public trust. 

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