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Security Clearances

Have you been denied or revoked a security clearance? Do you want to challenge a decision to deny or revoke a security clearance?


Here’s what you do…

Before a complaint can be made to NSIRA, you must:


1. Have a copy of the written notice of the Deputy Head of the federal department or agency regarding the denial or revocation of a security clearance.

Note: NSIRA does not hear complaints concerning a reliability status. Click here for more information.

What you need to know:

  • You don’t need to pay a fee to submit a complaint
  • You don’t need to hire a lawyer or get legal assistance
  • If you decide to seek legal advice, you are responsible for paying your legal fees and associated costs
  • NSIRA is an independent and external review agency

When NSIRA receives your complaint form and documentation, NSIRA will:

  • Notify you that we have received your complaint
  • Contact the department(s) who made the decision to deny/revoke your security clearance
  • Ask you and the department to provide an explanation (in the form of a letter or e-mail) about why you believe NSIRA has the mandate to investigate your complaint. This is what NSIRA is looking for:
    • Is your complaint regarding the denial/revocation of a security clearance by a Deputy Head; or
    • Is your complaint regarding the denial of a contract to provide goods and services to the Government of Canada by reason only of the denial/revocation of a security clearance;
  • Conduct a preliminary review of the information received from both parties and determine if the complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate the complaint

What do you do next?

Complete the form.

Note: You must submit your form within 30 days of receiving your denial/revocation notice.

Please include as much detail as possible, including names, dates and any other relevant information to assist NSIRA in its investigation of your complaint.

For the security of your information, please send your complaint, including a copy of the notice from the Deputy Head, to NSIRA by courier/mail to:

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

What happens next?


What happens if your complaint does not fall within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?

Should NSIRA determine it is not within its mandate to investigate your complaint, your complaint file will be closed. NSIRA will inform you, by letter, of its decision.

Your complaint may not have been accepted by NSIRA because NSIRA does not investigate complaints concerning the denial or revocation of a reliability status. Click here for information about the review and rights of redress available to challenge a decision to deny or revoke a reliability status.

What happens if your complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?

NSIRA will inform you and the respondent (s) of the next steps in the complaint process.

In accordance with section 22 of the NSIRA Act, the Review Agency will prepare a statement of circumstances summarizing the information giving rise to the denial of your security clearance and provide it to you once it has been vetted for national security concerns.

NSIRA may contact you and seek your availability for an investigative interview to clarify the nature and scope of your allegations. It may hold a case management conference to determine procedural matters.

NSIRA may also determine that an oral or written hearing is necessary in order to fully investigate and consider some or all of the issues of your complaint

Here’s what happens next following NSIRA’s consideration of the evidence:

Once NSIRA has examined the documentary evidence, conducted investigative interviews and/or held a hearing, the NSIRA Member assigned to investigate your complaint will prepare a final report which will include its findings and/or recommendations based on the evidence and written submissions received from the parties. An unclassified copy of the final report will be sent to you.

Contact us

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
Investigations

P.O. Box 2430, Station “D”
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Telephone: 1-833-890-0293
Fax: (613) 907-4445
Email: Registrar-Greffier@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

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CSE Complaints

Do you have a complaint against the Communications Security Establishment?


Here’s what you do…

Before a complaint against the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) can be made to NSIRA, you must:


1. Have made a formal complaint (in the form of a letter) to the Chief of CSE at the following address:

Chief, Communications Security Establishment
P.O. Box 9703, Terminal
Ottawa, ON
K1G 3Z4

2. Have not received a response from the Chief of CSE within 60 days or are not satisfied with the response you have received.

What you need to know:

  • You don’t need to pay a fee to submit a complaint
  • You don’t need to hire a lawyer or get legal assistance
  • If you decide to seek legal advice, you are responsible for paying your legal fees and associated costs
  • NSIRA is an independent and external review agency
  • CSE is the respondent

When NSIRA receives your complaint form and documentation, NSIRA will:

  • Notify you that we have received your complaint
  • Ask you and CSE to provide an explanation (in the form of a letter or e-mail) about why you believe NSIRA has the mandate to investigate your complaint. This is what NSIRA is looking for:
    • The complaint concerns an activity carried out by CSE;
    • That it be satisfied that the complaint is not trivial, frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.
  • Conduct a preliminary review of the information received from both parties  and determine if the complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate the complaint.

What do you do next?

Complete the CSE Complaints form: 

Please include as much detail as possible, including the names, dates and other relevant information to assist NSIRA in its investigation of your complaint.

Don’t forget to include a copy of your letter to the Chief of CSE and any response you have received.

For the security of your information, please send your complaint, including a copy of the letter to the Chief of CSE, to NSIRA by courier/mail to:

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

What happens next?


What happens if your complaint does not fall within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?

Should NSIRA determine it is not within its mandate to investigate your complaint, your complaint file will be closed. NSIRA will inform you, by letter, of its decision.

Your complaint may not have been accepted by NSIRA as your complaint does not concern an activity carried out by CSE and/or NSIRA is satisfied that your complaint is trivial, frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.

What happens if your complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?

NSIRA will inform you and the respondent (s) of the next steps in the complaint process.

NSIRA may contact you and seek your availability for an investigative interview to clarify the nature and scope of your allegations. It may hold a case management conference to determine procedural matters.

NSIRA may also determine that an oral or written hearing is necessary in order to fully investigate and consider some or all of the issues of your complaint.

Here’s what happens next following NSIRA’s consideration of the evidence:

Once NSIRA has examined the documentary evidence, conducted investigative interviews and/or held a hearing, the NSIRA Member assigned to investigate your complaint will prepare a final report which will include its findings and/or recommendations based on the evidence and written submissions received from the parties. An unclassified copy of the final report will be sent to you.

Contact us

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
Investigations

P.O. Box 2430, Station “D”
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Telephone: 1-833-890-0293
Fax: (613) 907-4445
Email: Registrar-Greffier@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

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Ongoing and completed reviews

NSIRA’s Advanced Search


Not finding what you’re looking for? Visit NSIRA’s Advanced Search, a easy to use searchable database containing all our publicly available documents.

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CSIS Complaints

Do you have a complaint against the Canadian Security Intelligence Service?


Here’s what you do…

Before a complaint against the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) can be made to NSIRA, you must:


1. Have made a formal complaint (in the form of a letter) to the Director of CSIS at the following address:

Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service
P.O. Box 9732, Postal Station “T”
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 4G4

2. Have not received a response from the Director of CSIS within 60 days or are not satisfied with the response you have received.

What you need to know:

  • You don’t need to pay a fee to submit a complaint
  • You don’t need to hire a lawyer or get legal assistance
  • If you decide to seek legal advice, you are responsible for paying your legal fees and associated costs
  • NSIRA is an independent and external review agency
  • CSIS is the respondent

When NSIRA receives your complaint form and documentation, NSIRA will:

  • Notify you that we have received your complaint
  • Ask you and CSIS to provide an explanation (in the form of a letter or e-mail) about why you believe NSIRA has the mandate to investigate your complaint. This is what NSIRA is looking for:
    • The complaint concerns an activity carried out by CSIS;
    • That it be satisfied that the complaint is not trivial, frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.
  • Conduct a preliminary review of the information received from both parties and determine if the complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate the complaint

What do you do next?

Complete the CSIS Complaints form.

Please include as much detail as possible, including names, dates and any other relevant information to assist NSIRA in its investigation of your complaint.

Don’t forget to include a copy of your letter to the Director of CSIS and any response you have received.

For the security of your information, please send your complaint, including a copy of the letter to the Director of CSIS, to NSIRA by courier/mail to:

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

What happens next?


What happens if your complaint does not fall within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?

Should NSIRA determine it is not within its mandate to investigate your complaint, your complaint file will be closed. NSIRA will inform you, by letter, of its decision.

Your complaint may not have been accepted by NSIRA as your complaint does not concern an activity carried out by CSIS and/or NSIRA is satisfied that your complaint is trivial, frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.

What happens if your complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?

NSIRA will inform you and the respondent (s) of the next steps in the complaint process.

NSIRA may contact you and seek your availability for an investigative interview to clarify the nature and scope of your allegations. It may hold a case management conference to determine procedural matters.

NSIRA may also determine that an oral or written hearing is necessary in order to fully investigate and consider some or all of the issues of your complaint.

Here’s what happens next following NSIRA’s consideration of the evidence:

Once NSIRA has examined the documentary evidence, conducted investigative interviews and/or held a hearing, the NSIRA Member assigned to investigate your complaint will prepare a final report which will include its findings and/or recommendations based on the evidence and written submissions received from the parties. An unclassified copy of the final report will be sent to you.

Contact us

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
Investigations

P.O. Box 2430, Station “D”
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Telephone: 1-833-890-0293
Fax: (613) 907-4445
Email: Registrar-Greffier@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

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Marie Deschamps

Marie Deschamps


The Honourable Marie Deschamps, C.C.

The Honourable Marie Deschamps received a Licentiate in Laws from the Université de Montréal in 1974 and an LL.M. from McGill University in 1983. The Royal Military College of Canada, the Université de Montréal and the Université de Sherbrooke awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2021, 2008 and 2014, respectively. She received the F. R. Scott Award for Distinguished Service from the Faculty of Law at McGill University in 2013. She was appointed Companion of the Order of Canada in 2013 and received the distinction Lawyer Emeritus from the Quebec Bar in 2014.

Madame Deschamps was called to the Quebec Bar in 1975 and practiced as a litigator at Martineau Walker and Sylvestre et Matte in family, civil and commercial law; then at Rouleau, Rumanek and Sirois in criminal law; and finally at Byers Casgrain in civil and commercial law. She was appointed judge to the Quebec Superior Court in 1990, to the Quebec Court of Appeal in 1992, and to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2002. She retired from the judiciary in August 2012.

In 2014, Madame Deschamps was appointed to conduct the External Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces. In 2015, she was named Chair of the panel for an External Independent Review of the United Nations Response to Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in the Central African Republic. In 2016, she served as member of the review committee on Quebec provincial judges remuneration. In 2017, she was appointed Chair of the Council of Canadian Academies’ Expert Panel on Medical Assistance in Dying. In 2018, she was designated as Assessor for the LGBT Purge Class Action settlement and in 2020 as Chair of the Exceptions Committee for the Indian Day School Class Action Settlement. She was appointed a member of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency in 2019 and Chair in 2021. She was also appointed Jurisconsult of the Quebec National Assembly in 2023.

Madame Deschamps has been an adjunct professor at the law schools of the Université de Sherbrooke since 2006 and of McGill University since 2012. She rejoined the Quebec Bar in 2013. She served as member of the Boards of Directors of Educaloi from 2013 to 2019 and of Energir from 2014 to 2019, and acts as Trustee of Pro Bono Canada since 2013.

Our Current Members


Marie Deschamps

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Craig Forcese

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Matthew Cassar

Learn More

Marie-Lucie Morin

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Foluke Laosebikan

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Colleen Swords

Learn More

Jim Chu

Learn More

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Investigations

Consistency. Fairness. Timeliness.


NSIRA has the crucial role of investigating national security-related complaints ensuring that they are addressed with the greatest degree of consistency, fairness, and timeliness.

As Canada’s independent agency, part of NSIRA’s mandate is to investigate public complaints related to any activity carried out by CSIS and CSE as well as complaints relating to the denial or revocation of security clearances.

NSIRA also investigates complaints closely related to national security issues referred by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (CRCC), matters referred by the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and certain reports made to NSIRA under the Citizenship Act.

Who do you have a complaint against?


Have a complaint against CSIS?

Have a complaint against CSE?

Have a complaint against the RCMP?

Have you been denied or revoked a security clearance?

Make a complaint


As Canada’s independent review agency, part of NSIRA’s mandate is to investigate public complaints related to any activity carried out by CSIS and CSE as well as complaints relating to the denial or revocation of security clearances.

NSIRA also investigates complaints closely related to national security issues referred by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (CRCC), matters referred by the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) and certain reports made to NSIRA under the Citizenship Act.

Complaints Process


If NSIRA determines that the subject of the complaint falls within its mandate to investigate, NSIRA will proceed with its investigation by reviewing documentary evidence, conducting investigative interviews of the complainant and witnesses identified by the parties and/or conducting an oral or written hearing on some or all of the issues of the complaint.

Once NSIRA’s investigation is completed, it will prepare a report with its findings and/or recommendations. A declassified copy of the final report will be sent to the complainant. A declassified and depersonalized version of the final report will be published on NSIRA’s website.

Informal Resolution


A complaint made to NSIRA, including a referral from the CRCC, can be informally resolved if the complainant and responding department consent.

The purpose of an informal resolution is to resolve some or all of the issues in a complaint. An informal resolution may take the form of any number of remedial actions and has several benefits. The goal is to provide an opportunity for the parties to gain a better understanding of the situation that gave rise to the complaint and to provide them with an opportunity to deal with the complaint expediently and to the satisfaction of all parties.

If the complaint is resolved informally, the terms of the informal resolution must be set out in writing and signed by all parties. A party or the NSIRA Member assigned to the investigation of the complaint may, at any time, request a resolution meeting between the parties. In the event that a complaint cannot be resolved informally, the merits of the complaint will be investigated by a different NSIRA Member.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


What is the Review Agency’s mandate regarding complaints?

NSIRA has the mandate to investigate the following complaints:

  • Complaints against the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
  • Complaints against the Communications Establishment Service (CSE)
  • Complaints relating to the denial or revocation of security clearances
  • Complaints referred to NSIRA by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (CRCC)
  • Matters referred to NSIRA under the Canadian Human Rights Act
  • Matters referred to NSIRA under the Citizenship Act
How do I file a complaint?

You may file a complaint by sending the appropriate form under rule 5.01 to the NSIRA Registrar by mail or courier as well as the required documents (rules 5.03, 5.04 and 5.05). Should you prefer to file your complaint electronically, NSIRA would require your written consent as you would be providing your personal information.

What happens once I submit my complaint? What is the first step?

The first step to a complaint is to determine whether NSIRA has jurisdiction (or the mandate) to investigate the complaint (rule 7). Upon receipt of a complaint, the Registrar will notify you that your complaint is deemed received and notify the respondent government department that a complaint has been received. A designated Member will conduct an independent review of the complaint in order to determine whether NSIRA has jurisdiction to investigate the complaint. Where the designated Member concludes it is necessary in order to make the determination on whether NSIRA may investigate the complaint, the Review Agency may request representations on the Review Agency’s jurisdiction to investigate the complaint from the parties.

In deciding whether it has jurisdiction in a CSE, CSIS or RCMP complaint, NSIRA independently inquires into (and verifies) your allegations. NSIRA provides a letter of decision to the parties on whether NSIRA will investigate the complaint. If a party is dissatisfied with NSIRA’s decision, it can ask the Federal Court to review it. This is done by filing an application for judicial review with the Federal Court of Canada within 30 days after the time the decision was first communicated by NSIRA to the parties. Please refer to the Federal Courts Rules – https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-98-106/.

How does NSIRA determine it has jurisdiction / the mandate to investigate my complaint?

A Member conducts an independent review of your complaint. NSIRA must determine whether your complaint falls within its mandate.

For example, if you submitted a complaint against CSIS (section 16 of the NSIRA Act) or CSE (section 17 of the NSIRA Act), the Review Agency will decide to investigate the complaint if:

– you have made a complaint to the Director or Chief, as the case may be, with respect to that activity and you have not received a response within a period of time that the Review Agency considers reasonable or is dissatisfied with the response given; and

– the Review Agency is satisfied that your complaint is not trivial, frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.

If your complaint against the RCMP has been referred to NSIRA (section 19 of the NSIRA Act), the Review Agency must investigate your complaint if it is satisfied that the complaint is not trivial, frivolous or vexatious or made in bad faith.

If you submitted a complaint relating to the denial or revocation of your security clearance, the Review Agency must investigate your complaint if:

  • you are an individual referred to in subsection 18 (1) of the NSIRA Act who has been denied a security clearance; or
  • you have been denied a contract to provide goods or services to the Government of Canada by reason only of the denial of a security clearance. NB: The NSIRA Act only gives NSIRA jurisdiction when a person has been denied a contract with the government. NSIRA does not have jurisdiction when the complaint is brought by an employee or subcontractor of the contractor who has been denied a contract. NSIRA also does not have jurisdiction when an employee or subcontractor loses employment or a contract with their private sector employer or client because of the denial of a security clearance. Complainants in the latter circumstance should seek advice on whether judicial review to the Federal Court is available.
What is NSIRA’s role throughout the complaints process?

Each NSIRA complaint investigation is conducted by an individual Member (or Members) designated by NSIRA’s Vice-Chair. The Member is the decision-maker in the investigation, assisted by NSIRA’s Investigations section. NSIRA’s Investigations section comprises a legal team of registry staff and legal counsel supporting the NSIRA Members assigned to investigate complaints. The Registry staff liaises with members of the public and complainants and acts as an intermediary between NSIRA and the parties. All letters, email correspondence and all material for complaints received and sent by NSIRA go through the Registrar.

NSIRA’s legal team assists the assigned NSIRA Members in their investigative role as independent decision-makers during an investigation. They ensure that the assigned Member has before them the most complete and accurate factual information relating to a complaint. In the course of an investigation, assigned Members review documentary evidence submitted by the parties and, where they decide it is necessary, will conduct an investigative interview of witnesses and/or will hold a hearing on some or all of the issues. The assigned Member may issue procedural guidance or directions throughout the investigation.

Once the investigation is concluded, the assigned Member will provide a final report to the parties which outlines the findings and/or recommendations NSIRA has made concerning the complaint. NSIRA may make findings, however it does not have the authority to issue binding remedial rulings, such as financial compensation.

I’ve been notified that NSIRA will investigate my complaint. What can I expect?

The Review Agency will conduct its investigation by reviewing documentary evidence and, if needed, conducting investigative interviews (rule 8).

The Review Agency will first request documentary evidence from the parties (rule 9). This request will be included in the letter of decision that the Review Agency will investigate your complaint. This letter also specifies the Member who has been assigned to investigate your complaint.

Upon reviewing the evidence, the assigned Member will determine whether they need to conduct any investigative interviews of witnesses and/or whether a hearing is necessary.

Is my file open to the public? Should I have an investigative interview or a hearing, can the public attend?

Your file is not open to the public. Every investigation is conducted in private (section 25(1) of the NSIRA Act). Unless you are represented by counsel or you have provided written consent to be represented by another person, you are the only person present with NSIRA at the interview. If there is a hearing, the responding government party will be present and may present evidence to NSIRA. Whether NSIRA is conducting interviews or hearings, all proceedings are held in private.

Can I withdraw a complaint during the process?

You may withdraw your complaint at any time (rule 15.01). You may make your request to withdraw your complaint by notifying the Review Agency in writing. You will receive confirmation that your complaint is now closed.

Can I still file a complaint if I am outside the country?

Yes. You can file a complaint if you reside or are currently outside of Canada.

Does NSIRA provide legal assistance?

NSIRA cannot provide legal assistance. However, NSIRA may provide procedural guidance throughout the conduct of the investigation of your complaint to ensure fairness. You may seek representation of a lawyer at your own expense.

If I cannot meet a deadline issued by the assigned Member, how do I go about requesting an extension of the deadline?

You may request an extension by submitting a motion to the Review Agency (rule 3.02). However, you may start by making an informal request for an extension, in writing, to the Registrar (rule 13.03).

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NSIRA regularly publishes reports, historical material, and other relevant information and resources. We make this information available so Canadians can better understand our work and understand how they can engage with us.

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Who we are

Who We Are


The creation of NSIRA addresses longstanding gaps in Canada’s framework for national security accountability and significantly strengthens independent scrutiny of national security and intelligence activities in Canada.

Leadership


NSIRA is composed of Members and a Secretariat. NSIRA Members are eminent Canadians who have been appointed by the Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Members are appointed for terms of five years, with the possibility of renewal for a second term. NSIRA Members approve NSIRA’s overarching review plan. They also examine and approve all NSIRA reviews, and serve as adjudicators for the quasi-judicial complaints process.

There can be up to seven NSIRA Members who are supported by a Secretariat with expertise in national security, policy, technology, law, civil liberties, and human rights. The Secretariat is led by an Executive Director who is appointed by the Governor-in-Council. It assists NSIRA Members in fulfilling the Agency’s mandate including the conduct of reviews as well as the quasi-judicial investigation of complaints.

Message from the Chair


It is an honour to be appointed Chair of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA).

As Chair, my priorities are to support NSIRA’s objectivity and independence in its review mandate, with a focus on the “trust but verify” principle, and, for its investigative mandate, to enhance access to justice, particularly through the new process put in place in July 2021. (see new process here)

In addition, I will continue to build the trust that Canadians have towards their system of national security and intelligence review and to strengthen NSIRA’s relationships with the departments and agencies that fall under its review mandate. At the same time, I will underscore NSIRA’s commitment to collaborate with other review bodies, its engagement with community stakeholders, and will work to increase transparency and accountability for national security and intelligence activities in Canada.

I am grateful for the support that I receive from NSIRA’s specialized and diversified team and I look forward to continuing to work with my NSIRA colleagues to build on NSIRA’s accomplishments in the years ahead.

The Honorable Marie Deschamps, C.C.
Chair, National Security and Intelligence Review Agency

Current Members


Marie Deschamps
(Chair)

Craig Forcese
(Vice-Chair)

Matthew Cassar

Marie-Lucie Morin

Foluke Laosebikan

Colleen Swords

Jim Chu

Former Members


Faisal Mirza

Ian Holloway

Pierre Blais

Yves Fortier

Murray Rankin

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About NSIRA

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Learns about NSIRA’s operations.

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Meet our chair and all our members.

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A newsroom that brings you valuable information on our day to day operations.

Visit our newsroom to stay up to date on all the latest news and insights happening at NSIRA.

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