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Financial Statements: NSIRA 2024–25

Financial Statements: NSIRA 2024–25

Date of Publishing:

Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025, and all information contained in these financial statements rests with the management of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) Secretariat. These financial statements have been prepared by management using the Government of Canada’s accounting policies, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the information in these financial statements. Some of the information in the financial statements is based on management’s best estimates and judgment and gives due consideration to materiality. To fulfill its accounting and reporting responsibilities, management maintains a set of accounts that provides a centralized record of the NSIRA Secretariat’s financial transactions. Financial information submitted in the preparation of the Public Accounts of Canada, and included in the NSIRA Secretariat’s Departmental Results Report, is consistent with these financial statements.

Management is also responsible for maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) designed to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is reliable, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are properly authorized and recorded in accordance with the Financial Administration Act and other applicable legislation, regulations, authorities, and policies.

Management seeks to ensure the objectivity and integrity of data in its financial statements through careful selection, training and development of qualified staff; through organizational arrangements that provide appropriate divisions of responsibility; through communication programs aimed at ensuring that regulations, policies, standards, and managerial authorities are understood throughout the NSIRA Secretariat and through conducting an annual risk-based assessment of the effectiveness of the system of ICFR.

The system of ICFR is designed to mitigate risks to a reasonable level based on an ongoing process to identify key risks, to assess effectiveness of associated key controls, and to make any necessary adjustments.

The NSIRA Secretariat will be subject to periodic Core Control Audits performed by the Office of the Comptroller General and will use the results of such audits to adhere to the Treasury Board Policy on Financial Management. In the interim, the NSIRA Secretariat has undertaken a risk-based assessment of the system of ICFR for the year ended March 31, 2025, in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Financial Management, and the action plan is summarized in the simplified annex.

The financial statements of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat have not been audited.

Charles Fugère
Executive Director

Amanda Wark
Acting Chief Financial Officer

Ottawa, Canada
September 9, 2025

Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited)

As of March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2024
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 4) $1,522 $1,669
Vacation pay and compensatory leave 667 495
Employee future benefits (Note 5b) 272 212
Total liabilities 2,461 2,376
Financial assets
Due from Consolidated Revenue Fund 1,519 1,470
Accounts receivable and advances (Note 6) 115 309
Total net financial assets 1,634 1,779
Departmental net debt 827 597
Non-financial assets
Prepaid expenses 60 61
Tangible capital assets (Note 7) 7,095 7,331
Total non-financial assets 7,155 7,392
Departmental net financial position $6,328 $6,795
Contractual obligations (Note 8)    

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Charles Fugère
Executive Director

Amanda Wark
Acting Chief Financial Officer

Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position (Unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2025
Planned Results		 2025 Actual 2024 Actual
Expenses
NSIRA Secretariat Reviews and Complaints Investigations (Note 10) $7,722 $11,756 $9,594
Internal Services (Note 10) 10,853 9,043 8,629
Total expenses 18,575 20,799 18,223
Net cost from continuing operations   20,799 18,223
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers   20,799 18,223
Government funding and transfers
Net cash provided by Government of Canada   18,709 19,061
Change in due from Consolidated Revenue Fund   49 470
Services provided without charge by other government departments (Note 9a)   1,576 1,437
Transfer of overpayments   (2) (4)
Net cost of operations after government funding and transfers – 467 (2,741)
Departmental net financial position – Beginning of year – 6,795 4,129
Departmental net financial position – End of year – $6,328 $6,795

Segmented information (Note 11)

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Change in Departmental Net Debt (Unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2025 Actual 2024 Actual
Net cost of operations after government funding and transfers $467 $(2,741)
Change due to tangible capital assets
Acquisition of tangible capital assets (Note 7) 35 2,822
Amortization of tangible capital assets (Note 7) (271) (315)
Total change due to tangible capital assets (236) 2,507
Change due to prepaid expenses (1) 55
Net increase (decrease) in departmental net debt 230 (179)
Departmental net debt – Beginning of year 597 776
Departmental net debt – End of year $827 $597

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31 (in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2024
Operating activities
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers $20,799 $18,223
Non-cash items: – –
Amortization of tangible capital assets (271) (315)
Services provided without charge by other government departments (Note 9a) (1,576) (1,437)
Transfer of overpayments 2 4
Variations in Statement of Financial Position: – –
Increase (decrease) in accounts receivable and advances (194) (209)
Increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses (1) 55
Decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 147 (236)
Decrease (increase) in vacation pay and compensatory leave (172) 137
Decrease (increase) in future employee benefits (60) 17
Cash used in operating activities 18,674 16,239
Capital investing activities – –
Acquisitions of tangible capital assets (Note 7) 35 2,822
Cash used in capital investing activities 35 2,822
Net cash provided by Government of Canada $18,709 $19,061

Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited)

For the Year Ended March 31

1. Authority and objectives

NSIRA, and the NSIRA Secretariat, were both established, effective July 12, 2019, under the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act (NSIRA Act).

The NSIRA Secretariat is a division of the federal public administration as set out in column 1 of Schedule I.1 of the Financial Administration Act whose appropriate minister is the Prime Minister.

One mandate of NSIRA is to review Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable, and necessary. NSIRA also has a quasi-judicial mandate; it investigates complaints from members of the public on the activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Communications Security Establishment (CSE), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as certain other national security-related complaints. The NSIRA Secretariat’s role is to assist NSIRA in fulfilling its mandate.

To achieve its strategic outcome and deliver results for Canadians, NSIRA Secretariat articulates its plans and priorities based on the core responsibility and program inventory included below:

National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

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

Internal Services

Internal support services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

These financial statements are prepared using NSIRA Secretariat’s accounting policies stated below, which are based on Canadian public sector accounting standards. The presentation and results using the stated accounting policies do not result in any significant differences from Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

(a) Parliamentary authorities

NSIRA Secretariat is financed by the Government of Canada through Parliamentary authorities. Financial reporting of authorities provided to NSIRA Secretariat do not parallel financial reporting according to generally accepted accounting principles since authorities are primarily based on cash flow requirements. Consequently, items recognized in the Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position and in the Statement of Financial Position are not necessarily the same as those provided through authorities from Parliament.

Note 3 provides a reconciliation between the bases of reporting. The planned results amounts in the ”Expenses” and ”Revenues” sections of the Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position are the amounts reported in the Future-Oriented Statement of Operations included in the 2023-2024 Departmental Plan. The planned results amounts in the “Government funding and transfers” section of the Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position and in the Statement of Change in Departmental Net Debt were prepared for internal management purposes and have not been previously published.

(b) Net cash provided by Government of Canada

NSIRA Secretariat operates within the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), which is administered by the Receiver General for Canada. All cash received by NSIRA Secretariat is deposited to the CRF, and all cash disbursements made by NSIRA Secretariat are paid from the CRF. The net cash provided by Government is the difference between all cash receipts and all cash disbursements, including transactions between departments of the Government.

(c) Amounts due from or to the CRF

Amounts due from or to the CRF are the result of timing differences at year-end between when a transaction affects authorities and when it is processed through the CRF. Amounts due from the CRF represent the net amount of cash that NSIRA Secretariat is entitled to draw from the CRF without further authorities to discharge its liabilities.

(d) Expenses

  • Vacation pay and compensatory leave are accrued as the benefits are earned by employees under their respective terms of employment.
  • Services provided without charge by other government departments for accommodation, employer contributions to the health and dental insurance plans and workers’ compensation are recorded as operating expenses at their carrying value.

(e) Employee future benefits

  • Pension benefits: Eligible employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan, a pension plan administered by the Government. NSIRA’s contributions to the Plan are charged to expenses in the year incurred and represent the total departmental obligation to the Plan. NSIRA’s responsibility with regard to the Plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the financial statements of the Government of Canada, as the Plan’s sponsor.
  • Severance benefits: The accumulation of severance benefits for voluntary departures ceased for applicable employee groups. The remaining obligation for employees who did not withdraw benefits is calculated using information derived from the results of the actuarially determined liability for employee severance benefits for the Government as a whole.

(f) Non-financial assets

All tangible capital assets having an initial cost of $10,000 or more are recorded at their acquisition cost. Tangible capital assets do not include immovable assets located on reserves as defined in the Indian Act, works of art, museum collection and Crown land to which no acquisition cost is attributable; and intangible assets.

Inventories are valued at cost and are comprised of spare parts and supplies held for future program delivery and are not primarily intended for resale. Inventories that no longer have service potential are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

(g) Measurement uncertainty

The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported and disclosed amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes at March 31. The estimates are based on facts and circumstances, historical experience, general economic conditions and reflect the Government’s best estimate of the related amount at the end of the reporting period. The most significant items where estimates are used are contingent liabilities, the liability for employee future benefits and the useful life of tangible capital assets.

Actual results could significantly differ from those estimated. Management’s estimates are reviewed periodically and, as adjustments become necessary, they are recorded in the financial statements in the year they become known.

(h) Related party transactions

Related party transactions, other than inter-entity transactions, are recorded at the exchange amount.

Inter-entity transactions are transactions between commonly controlled entities. Inter-entity transactions, other than restructuring transactions, are recorded on a gross basis and are measured at the carrying amount, except for the following:

  • Services provided on a recovery basis are recognized as revenues and expenses on a gross basis and measured at the exchange amount.
  • Certain services received on a without charge basis are recorded for departmental financial statement purposes at the carrying amount.

3. Parliamentary authorities

NSIRA Secretariat receives most of its funding through annual Parliamentary authorities. Items recognized in the Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position and the Statement of Financial Position in one year may be funded through Parliamentary authorities in prior, current, or future years. Accordingly, NSIRA Secretariat has different net results of operations for the year on a government funding basis than on an accrual accounting basis. The differences are reconciled in the following tables:

(a) Reconciliation of net cost of operations to current year authorities used

(in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2024
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers $20,799 $18,223
Adjustments for items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities:
Amortization of tangible capital assets (271) (315)
Services provided without charge by other government departments (1,576) (1,437)
Increase / (decrease) in vacation pay and compensatory leave (173) 137
Increase / (decrease) in employee future benefits (60) 17
Refund of prior years’ expenditures 14 102
Total items affecting net cost of operations but not affecting authorities (2,066) (1,496)
Adjustments for items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities
Acquisition of tangible capital assets 35 2,822
Increase / (decrease) in prepaid expenses 55
Accounts receivable and advances 71 42
Total items not affecting net cost of operations but affecting authorities 106 2,919
Current year authorities used $18,839 $19,646

(b) Authorities provided and used

(in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2024
Authorities provided:
Vote 1 – Operating expenditures $18,863 $22,633
Statutory amounts 1,831 1,558
Less:
Lapsed: Operating (1,855) (4,545)
Current year authorities used $18,839 $19,646

4. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

The following table presents details of NSIRA’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

(in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2024
Accounts payable – Other government departments and agencies $265 $429
Accounts payable – External parties 1,257 1,240
Total accounts payable 1,522 1,669
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $1,522 $1,669

5. Employee future benefits

(a) Pension benefits

NSIRA Secretariat’s employees participate in the Public Service Pension Plan (the ”Plan”), which is sponsored and administered by the Government of Canada. Pension benefits accrue up to a maximum period of 35 years at a rate of two percent per year of pensionable service, times the average of the best five consecutive years of earnings. The benefits are integrated with Canada/Québec Pension Plan benefits, and they are indexed to inflation.

Both the employees and the NSIRA Secretariat contribute to the cost of the Plan. Due to the amendment of the Public Service Superannuation Act following the implementation of provisions related to Economic Action Plan 2012, employee contributors have been divided into two groups – Group 1 related to existing plan members as of December 31, 2012, and Group 2 relates to members joining the Plan as of January 1, 2013. Each group has a distinct contribution rate.

The 2024-25 expense amounts to $1,676,178 ($1,393,438 in 2023-24). For Group 1 members, the expense represents approximately 1.02 times (1.02 times in 2023-24) the employee contributions and, for Group 2 members, approximately 1.00 times (1.00 times in 2023-24) the employee contributions.

NSIRA Secretariat’s responsibility with regard to the Plan is limited to its contributions. Actuarial surpluses or deficiencies are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Government of Canada, as the Plan’s sponsor.

(b) Severance benefits

Severance benefits provided to NSIRA Secretariat’s employees were previously based on an employee’s eligibility, years of service and salary at termination of employment. However, since 2011 the accumulation of severance benefits for voluntary departures progressively ceased for substantially all employees. Employees subject to these changes were given the option to be paid the full or partial value of benefits earned to date or collect the full or remaining value of benefits upon departure from the public service. By March 31, 2024, substantially all settlements for immediate cash out were completed. Severance benefits are unfunded and, consequently, the outstanding obligation will be paid from future authorities.

The changes in the obligations during the year were as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2024
Accrued benefit obligation – Beginning of year $212 $229
Expense for the year 60 21
Benefits paid during the year – (38)
Accrued benefit obligation – End of year $272 $212

6. Accounts receivable and advances

The following table presents details of NSIRA’s accounts receivable and advances balances:

  2025 2024
Receivables – Other government departments and agencies $13 $237
Receivables – External parties 79 49
Employee advances 23 23
Net accounts receivable $115 $309

7. Tangible capital assets

Amortization of tangible capital assets is done on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

Asset Class Amortization Period
Informatics hardware 3 to 10 years
Other equipment 3 to 30 years
Leasehold improvements Over the useful life of the improvement or the lease term, whichever is shorter

(in thousands of dollars)

  Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Book Value
(1) Adjustments include assets under construction that were transferred to the other categories upon completion of the assets.
Capital Asset Class Opening Balance Acquisitions Adjustments (1) Disposal and Write-Offs Closing Balance Opening Balance Amortization Adjustments (1) Disposals and Write-Offs Closing Balance 2025 2024
Restated
Informatics hardware 201 – – – 201 166 17 – – 184 17 35
Other equipment 1,124 – – – 1,124 665 116 – – 780 344 459
Leasehold improvements 1,005 35 6,837 – 7,877 1,005 138 – – 1,143 6,734 –
Assets under construction 6,837 – (6,837) – – – – – – – – 6,837
Total 9,167 35 – – 9,202 1,836 271 – – 2,107 7,095 7,331

8. Contractual obligations

The nature of NSIRA Secretariat’s activities may result in some large multi-year contracts and obligations whereby the Department will be obligated to make future payments in order to carry out its programs or when the services/goods are received. Significant contractual obligations that can be reasonably estimated are summarized as follows:

  2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 and subsequent Total
Acquisition of goods and services 647 50 – – – – 697
Total $647 50 – – – – $697

NSIRA is related as a result of common ownership to all government departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. Related parties also include individuals who are members of key management personnel or close family members of those individuals, and entities controlled by, or under shared control of, a member of key management personnel or a close family member of that individual.

NSIRA enters into transactions with these entities in the normal course of business and on normal trade terms.

During the year, NSIRA received common services which were obtained without charge for other government departments as disclosed below.

(a) Common services provided without charge by other government departments

During the year, the NSIRA Secretariat received services without charge from certain common service organizations, related to accommodation and the employer’s contribution to the health and dental insurance plans. These services provided without charge have been recorded at the carrying value in NSIRA Secretariat’s Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position as follows:

(in thousands of dollars)

  2025 2024
Accommodation 515 500
Employer’s contribution to the health and dental insurance plans 1,061 937
Total $1,576 $1,437

The Government has centralized some of its administrative activities for efficiency, cost-effectiveness purposes and economic delivery of programs to the public. As a result, the Government uses central agencies and common service organizations so that one department performs services for all other departments and agencies without charge. The costs of these services, such as the payroll and cheque issuance services provided by Public Services and Procurement Canada and audit services provided by the Office of the Auditor General are not included in the Department’s Statement of Operations and Departmental Net Financial Position.

(b) Other transactions with other government departments and agencies

  2025 2024
Expenses $5,146 $6,816

10. Segmented information

Presentation by segment is based on the Department’s core responsibility. The presentation by segment is based on the same accounting policies as described in the Summary of significant accounting policies in Note 2. The following table presents the expenses incurred and revenues generated for the main core responsibilities, by major object of expense and by major type of revenue. The segment results for the period are as follows:

  National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations Internal Services 2025 2024
Expenses
Salaries and employee benefits $11,106 $4,340 $15,446 $12,908
Professional and special services 253 3,379 3,632 3,809
Accommodation – 541 541 544
Transportation and communications 237 149 386 406
Information – 38 38 10
Acquisition of machinery and equipment – (24) (24) 121
Repair and maintenance – 165 165 2,831
Amortization of tangible capital assets – 271 271 315
Rental – 101 101 165
Utilities, materials and supplies 2 39 41 52
Other 158 44 202 (2,938)
Total expenses 11,756 9,043 20,799 18,223
Net cost from continuing operations $11,756 $9,043 $20,799 $18,223

Annex to the Statement of Management Responsibility Including Internal Control over Financial Reporting for Fiscal Year 2021-22 (unaudited)

1. Introduction

This document provides summary information on measures taken by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) Secretariat to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) including information on internal control management, assessment results and related action plans.

Detailed information on NSIRA Secretariat’s authority, mandate, and programs can be found in our Departmental Plan for the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year and our Departmental Results Report for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year.

https://nsira-ossnr.gc.ca/publications

2. Departmental system of internal control over financial reporting

In support of an effective system of internal control, NSIRA Secretariat conducted self-assessments of key control areas that were identified to be assessed in the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year. A summary of the assessment results and action plan is provided in subsection B.2.

NSIRA Secretariat completed the assessment of key control areas as indicated in the following table. A summary of the results, action plans, and additional details are also provided.

2.1  Service Arrangements relevant to financial statements

NSIRA Secretariat relies on other organizations for the processing of certain transactions that are recorded in its financial statements and relies on these service providers to ensure an adequate system of ICFR is maintained over services provided to NSIRA Secretariat.

Common Arrangements:
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada, which administers the payment of salaries and the procurement of goods and services, and provides accommodation services
  • Shared Services Canada, which provides IT infrastructure services
  • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, which provides information on public service insurance and centrally administers payment of the employer’s share of contributions toward statutory employee benefit plans

Readers of this simplified annex may refer to the annexes of the above-noted departments for a greater understanding of the systems of internal control over financial reporting related to these specific services.

Specific Arrangements:
  • Prior to fiscal 2021-22, in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations, NSIRA Secretariat relied on the Privy Council Office (PCO) for the performance of financial services, including relevant control measures. Effective, April 1, 2021, NSIRA Secretariat entered into a new MOU with PCO, which reflected a shift whereby NSIRA Secretariat repatriated its financial services to capacity in fiscal year 2022-23.
  • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat provides the Secretariat with a SAP financial system platform to capture and report all financial transactions and a PeopleSoft human resources system platform to manage pay and leave transactions.

2.2 Assessment results for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year

NSIRA Secretariat completed the assessment of key control areas as indicated in the following table. A summary of the results, action plans, and additional details are also provided.

Key Control Areas Remediation required Summary results and action plan
Pay Administration No Internal controls are functioning as intended, no action plan required.
Financial Management Governance No Internal controls are functioning as intended, no action plan required.

3. Departmental action plan

Assessment Plan

NSIRA will assess the performance of its system of internal control by focusing on key control areas over a cycle of years as shown in the following table.

Key Control Areas 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27
Delegation Yes No No No No
Transfer Payments Yes No No No No
Contracting No Yes No No No
Year-end Payables No Yes No No No
Receivables No Yes No No No
Pay Administration No No Yes No No
Travel No No No No Yes
Financial Management Governance No No Yes No No
Hospitality No No No No Yes
Fleet Management No No No No No
Accountable Advances No No No No Yes
Acquisition cards No No No Yes No
Leave No No No Yes No
Special Financial Authorities No No No Yes No

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Date Modified:

Departmental Results Report: 2024-25

Departmental Results Report: 2024-25

Date of Publishing:

Results at a glance

This departmental results report details NSIRA Secretariat’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results outlined in its 2024–25 Departmental Plan.

Key priorities

NSIRA Secretariat identified the following key priorities for 2024-25:

  • Complete all mandatory reviews such as those required under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act, the review of threat reduction measures, and any newly issued or significantly amended ministerial directions.
  • Maintain a consistent and thorough review process for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE). This will ensure ongoing scrutiny of their activities for reasonableness, necessity and compliance with the law.
  • Meet or exceed NSIRA’s established service standards for the timely, fair, and transparent investigation of complaints. Continuously refine investigative processes to enhance responsiveness and procedural clarity.
  • Provide detailed and timely reporting on disclosures under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act (SCIDA). This supports accountability, transparency, and the appropriate sharing of information within the federal security and intelligence community.
  • Successfully transition into NSIRA’s purpose-built facilities, ensuring secure and efficient operations, as well as improved management of classified information in alignment with Government of Canada security standards.
  • Enhance collaboration with domestic and international review bodies and Agents of Parliament through partnerships, joint activities, and knowledge sharing to strengthen NSIRA’s global review and investigation functions.

Highlights for NSIRA Secretariat in 2024-25

  • Total actual spending (including internal services): $18,839,589
  • Total full-time equivalent staff (including internal services): 87

For complete information on NSIRA Secretariat’s total spending and human resources, read the Spending and human resources section of its full departmental results report.

Summary of results

The following provides a summary of the results the department achieved in 2024-25 under its main areas of activity, called “core responsibilities.”

Core responsibility 1: National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

Actual spending: $10,856,293

Actual full-time equivalent staff: 58

Ministers and Canadians are informed about the lawfulness, reasonableness, and necessity of national security and intelligence activities undertaken by the Government of Canada institutions.

In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the NSIRA Secretariat supported NSIRA’s mandate by completing all legislated reviews. These included reviews of Governor in Council directions under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act, a focused examination of a CSIS threat reduction measure, and reviews of new or significantly amended ministerial directions. NSIRA also reported on disclosures under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act.

The NSIRA Secretariat supported NSIRA in completing of 8 (eight) national security and intelligence reviews over the 2024-25 fiscal year. A total of 13 (thirteen) Government of Canada organizations were subject to review and 7 (seven) Ministers received one or more of the NSIRA reports approved by members in the same fiscal year.

Results achieved:
  • 6 section 34 ministerial reports
  • 3 section 35 non-compliance reports
  • 1 section 39 report on disclosures under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act

For more information on how Ministers and Canadians are informed about the lawfulness, reasonableness, and necessity of national security and intelligence activities conducted by the Government of Canada institutions, refer to the ‘Results – what we achieved” section of the departmental results report.

National security related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner

The NSIRA Secretariat achieved a 100% success rate in meeting the service standards developed in the previous year.. The Secretariat enhanced its investigative methods to improve speed, fairness, and transparency, resolving numerous formal investigations and informal complaints. This effort strengthened NSIRA’s role in providing accessible and impartial remedies for individuals. NSIRA’s efficiency improved by completing five formal investigations and resolving twelve complaints informally.

For more information on the NSIRA Secretariat’s National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations read the ‘Results – what we achieved” section of its departmental results report.

From the Executive Director

I am pleased to present the Departmental Results Report for the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) Secretariat for the fiscal year 2024-25. This year, the Secretariat met its objectives by supporting NSIRA in conducting thorough and meaningful reviews, while maintaining the timeliness of complaint investigations. We have built on our past achievements, significantly increasing our capacity and expertise across all areas of our operations.

In 2024-25, the NSIRA Secretariat conducted numerous national security and intelligence reviews, producing high-quality expert reports. These included ministerial reports, compliance reports, and annual reports for tabling in Parliament. The reviews covered various Government of Canada agencies and were shared with senior government officials.

Our outreach and collaboration initiatives have strengthened NSIRA’s domestic and international partnerships, reinforcing relationships with Canadian review bodies, Agents of Parliament, and various international counterparts. The Secretariat was pivotal in hosting several key partners and facilitating the exchange of best practices. This year, we also deepened our connections with European partners and participated in international oversight and review activities.

Concerning complaint investigations, the NSIRA Secretariat has continued to support the agency in enhancing our investigative processes, prioritizing timeliness, efficiency, and transparency. This focus has allowed us to ensure investigations are conducted fairly and promptly, leading to increased efficiency and resulting in numerous formal investigations and informal resolutions. The ongoing implementation of our service standards for investigative processes has proven to be highly successful.

Operationally, the NSIRA Secretariat reached a significant milestone by successfully moving into a purpose-built facility. This transition has enhanced NSIRA’s security and capacity, enabling more effective operations and the management of classified information in accordance with Government of Canada standards. The move ensured continuity of operations while reinforcing NSIRA’s resilience and modernization.

I would like to sincerely thank all NSIRA Secretariat employees for their steadfast dedication and commitment to our mission. Their efforts ensure that our work upholds the highest standards, and that Government of Canada security and intelligence activities are independently reviewed for legal compliance, reasonableness and necessity through expert scrutiny and assessment.

Results: what we achieved

Core responsibilities and internal services

  • Core responsibility 1: National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints
  • Internal services

Core responsibility 1: National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

In this section

  • Description
  • Quality of life impacts
  • Progress on results
  • Details on results
  • Key risks
  • Resources required to achieve results
  • Program inventory

Description

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

Quality of life impacts

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

Progress on results

This section details the department’s performance against its targets for each departmental result under Core responsibility 1: National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations.

Table 1: Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary

Table 1 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and the actual result for each indicator under Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary in the last three fiscal years.
Departmental Result Indicator Target Date to achieve target Actual Results
All mandatory reviews are completed on an annual basis 100% completion of mandatory reviews December 2022 2022–23: 100%
2023–24: 100%
2024–25: 100%
Reviews of national security or intelligence activities of at least five departments or agencies are conducted each year At least one national security or intelligence activity is reviewed in at least five departments or agencies annually December 2022 2022–23: 100%
2023–24: 100%
2024–25: 100%
All Member-approved high priority national security or intelligence activities are reviewed over a three-year period 100% completion over three years; at least 33% completed each year December 2022 2022–23: 33%
2023–24: 33%
2024–25: 33%

Table 2 shows the target, the date to achieve the target and actual result for each indicator under National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner in the last three fiscal years.
Departmental Result Indicator Target Date to achieve target Actual Results
Percentage of investigations completed within NSIRA service standards 90% – 100% March 2024 2022–23: N/A
2023–24: 100%
2024–25: 100%

Note: The NSIRA Secretariat was created on July 12, 2019. Actual results for 2022-23 are not available because the new Departmental Results Framework in the changeover from the Security Intelligence Review Committee to the NSIRA Secretariat was being developed. This new framework is for measuring and reporting on results achieved starting in 2023-24.

The Results section of the Infographic for NSIRA Secretariat on GC Infobase page  provides additional information on results and performance related to its program inventory.  

Details on results

The following section describes the results for National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations in 2024–25 compared with the planned results set out in NSIRA Secretariat’s departmental plan for the year.  

Ministers and Canadians are informed whether national security and intelligence activities undertaken by Government of Canada institutions are lawful, reasonable and necessary  

Results achieved

NSIRA Secretariat supported NSIRA in completing of 8 (eight) national security and intelligence reviews during the 2024-25 fiscal year. A total of 13 (thirteen) Government of Canada organizations were reviewed and 7 (seven) Ministers received one or more of the NSIRA reports that were approved by members during this fiscal year. 

  • 6 section 34 ministerial reports 
  • 3 section 35 non-compliance reports  
  • 1 section 39 report on disclosures under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act 

Four of the eight reviews completed this year included multiple Government of Canada organizations by design. These four multi-organization reviews were: 

  • The annual review of disclosures under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act (SCIDA) 
  • The annual review of the implementation of directions issued under the Avoiding Complicity in Mistreatment by Foreign Entities Act (ACA) 
  • Review of Communications Security Establishment (CSE)’s Equities Management Framework 
  • Review of the Passenger Protect Program and Secure Air Travel Act 

The department and agencies covered in these multi-organizational reviews were:  Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Communications Security Establishment (CSE), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Department of Justice Canada (JUS), Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF), Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Public Safety Canada (PS), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Transport Canada (TC). 

Four of the eight reviews also focused on individual topics involving specific Government of Canada organization: CSE – one review; CSIS – one review; RCMP – one review; and CRA – one review. 

During the reporting period, the Secretariat made significant progress in developing and implementing policies and procedures to support the NSIRA review mandate. This included creating more refined planning and analytic tools to facilitate the review process. Additionally, NSIRA Secretariat staff promoted transparency and accountability by working with CSE, CSIS, GAC, PCO, PS, RCMP, CBSA, DFO, DND/CAF, FINTRAC, CRA, TBS, IRCC and TC to release several reports through the Access to Information regime which were later published on the NSIRA website. 

National security-related complaints are independently investigated in a timely manner

Results achieved

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the NSIRA Secretariat continued to develop and refine the processes underpinning the fulfillment of its investigation mandate. The investigative process has emphasized increased timeliness, efficiency, and transparency to enhance the relevance of the process for complainants.

The volume of investigative activities remained high and included an increase in complaints against CSIS with respect to delays in security assessments related to immigration applications.

Over the past year, NSIRA Secretariat stabilized its investigative processes for complaints by implementing procedures that ensure the investigations are conducted fairly, timely and transparently. With the normalization of work environments following the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, NSIRA investigations have become more efficient. NSIRA completed five formal investigations and issued final reports in those cases, while twelve complaint matters were resolved informally.

As of April 1, 2023, the NSIRA Secretariat implemented service standards for investigating complaints. These standards set internal time limits for key investigative steps for each type of complaint, under normal circumstances, while also specifying conditions under which those time limits do not apply. Developing these service standards includes tracking and collecting data to assess whether the NSIRA Secretariat is meeting its standards. In 2024-25, the Secretariat achieved 100% success rate in meeting these standards.

Outreach and collaboration

During 2024–25, outreach, engagement, and strategic collaboration remained central to the support offered by the Secretariat to NSIRA. Staff consistently connected with domestic review partners, such as the Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) and the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC). These efforts focused on enhancing coordination and minimizing overlapping review activities, ultimately promoting more streamlined and effective review within the security and intelligence fields.

New collaborative ties were also formed with several Agents of Parliament, broadening NSIRA’s network of accountability partners within Canada’s governance system. NSIRA collaborated with the Lobbying Commissioner of Canada, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of Canada, Auditor General of Canada, Information Commissioner of Canada, and Privacy Commissioner of Canada. During these meetings a host of discussions ensued that include strategic communications and engagement; optimizing the organizational structure; recruitment; advocating for reform of enabling legislation, and resources for Members as public office holders under the Conflict of Interest Act.

The agency continued its international efforts with main partners, such as the Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council (FIORC), the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, to facilitate the sharing of best practices and operational knowledge.

The Secretariat Staff effectively facilitated NSIRA’s involvement in the 2024 FIORC Conference in Canberra, Australia. Furthermore, NSIRA enhanced its connections with European oversight organizations through participation in the European Intelligence Oversight Conference and the Intelligence Oversight Working Group. This key platform unites European review and accountability agencies.

Public transparency was a central focus all year. The Secretariat facilitated the prompt development and publication of NSIRA’s Public Annual Report, the primary way NSIRA communicates its activities to Canadians. It also issued more frequent unclassified backgrounders about NSIRA’s reports, encouraging continuous public engagement and enhancing transparency.

Key risks

Effective review requires timely and complete responses to NSIRA’s requests for information and access to departmental systems and information holdings that align with the requirements of each review. Mutual respect is also essential in this process. During the reviews completed in 2024-25, Government of Canada organizations met NSIRA’s expectations for responsiveness most of the time. While these reviews demonstrated new or expanded direct access to four organizations systems and information, they also identified two areas where NSIRA did not achieve the required access to comprehensively, methodically, and efficiently deliver its mandate. In other cases where NSIRA’s expectations for responsiveness were only partially met, the issues often related to the timeliness and quality of responses to requests for information. At times, these responsiveness and access issues contributed to delays in the progress of reviews.

A particular challenge for the Secretariat in fulfilling its core duties is the procedural variability in NSIRA’s quasi-judicial investigations. The independence of NSIRA members and the complexity of complaints can lead to unpredictable timelines and lengths of investigations. To address this, the Secretariat’s service standards are based on well-defined steps that can only be completed once the full evidentiary record— including both documents and oral testimony—is provided to NSIRA. By linking performance metrics to the availability of crucial information, the Secretariat ensures that changes in investigation duration do not compromise the integrity or accountability of its service.

Resources required to achieve results

Table 3: Snapshot of resources required for National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations

Table 3 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.
Resource Planned Actual
Spending $18,575,110 $18,839,589
Full-time equivalent 100 87

The Finances section of the Infographic for NSIRA Secretariat on GC Infobase page  and the People section of the Infographic for NSIRA Secretariat on GC Infobase page provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory. 

Program inventory 

National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations is supported by the following programs:  

  • National security and intelligence activity reviews and complaints investigations

Additional information related to the program inventory for National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase . 

Internal services 

In this section 

  • Description
  • Progress on results
  • Resources required to achieve results
  • Contracts awarded to Indigenous business

Description 

Internal services refer to the activities and resources that support a department in its work to meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. The 9 categories of internal services are: 

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

Progress on results

This section presents details on how the department performed to achieve results and meet targets for internal services.  

During the reporting period, the NSIRA Secretariat focused on optimizing its resources by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations. The administrative structures, tools, and processes were aligned to support achieving key priorities. Several new tools were introduced and integrated into the forecasting cycle to strengthen financial planning and oversight, improving budget managers’ abilities to plan and forecast more accurately. 

The Secretariat acknowledges the importance of being an inclusive, healthy, and flexible employer. The organization has implemented initiatives to foster a respectful, diverse, and adaptable work environment to support this commitment. These initiatives enhanced mental health and well-being support and flexible work arrangements. Additionally, the Secretariat continues to invest in training on unconscious bias, workplace civility and respect, and accessibility. Through these efforts, we strive to cultivate a workplace culture where all employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute to the organization’s mission. 

In collaboration with PSPC, RCMP and CSE, the NSIRA Secretariat completed a two-year construction project, expanding its footprint with the addition of approx. 50 workstations with an occupancy date of August 2024. The facilities team will continue the work on the management action plan associated with the Accessibility Canada Act, specifically on the built environment. 

For the 2024–25 fiscal year, the NSIRA Secretariat launched a renewal of its Information Management (IM) policy suite, which includes creating supporting procedures, standards, and directives. It is scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2025–26. 

The Secretariat continued collaborating with Library and Archives Canada (LAC) to obtain its Disposition Authorization, essential for establishing proper lifecycle management for the Secretariat’s records. This work is ongoing and anticipated to be completed in fall 2025. 

As part of its digital modernization efforts, the Secretariat successfully completed the full implementation of GCdocs in fall 2024. Since then, the focus has shifted to optimizing its use through targeted training and engagement activities. Multiple sessions have been conducted for staff to enhance user proficiency and ensure compliance with information management best practices. 

Resources required to achieve results 

Table 4: Resources required to achieve results for internal services this year

Table 4 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents required to achieve results.
Resource Planned Actual
Spending $7,722,123 $7,983,296
Full-time equivalents 31 29

The Finances section of the Infographic for NSIRA Secretariat on GC Infobase and the People section of the Infographic for NSIRA Secretariat on GC Infobase  provide complete financial and human resources information related to its program inventory. 

Contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

Government of Canada departments are required to award at least 5% of the total value of contracts to Indigenous businesses every year.  

NSIRA Secretariat results for 2024-25:  

Table 5: Total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

As shown in Table 5, NSIRA Secretariat awarded 10 % of the total value of all contracts to Indigenous businesses for the fiscal year.
Contracting performance indicators 2024-25 Results
Total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses² (A) $103,351
Total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous and non‑Indigenous businesses³ (B) $989,486
Value of exceptions approved by deputy head (C) $0
Proportion of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses [A / (B−C) × 100] 10 %
  • “Contract” is a binding agreement for the procurement of a good, service, or construction and does not include real property leases. It includes contract amendments and contracts entered into by means of acquisition cards of more than $10,000.00.
  • For the purposes of the minimum 5% target, the data in this table reflects how Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) defines “Indigenous business” as either:
    • owned and operated by Elders, band and tribal councils
    • registered in the Indigenous Business Directory
    • registered on a modern treaty beneficiary business list.

The calculation of the % amount includes $88,366 awarded to subcontracts.

In its 2025–26 Departmental Plan, NSIRA secretariat estimated that it would award 5 % of the total value of its contracts to Indigenous businesses by the end of 2024–25. Actual results were 10% of all contracts were awarded to indigenous businesses – the highest percentage achieved to date, signifying the on-going commitment to this initiative. 

Spending and human resources 

In this section

  • Spending
  • Funding
  • Financial statement highlights
  • Human resources

Spending

This section presents an overview of the department’s actual and planned expenditures from 2022–23 to 2027–28.  

Refocusing Government Spending 

While not officially part of this spending reduction exercise, to respect the spirit of this exercise, NSIRA Secretariat undertook the following measures in 2024-25. 

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

Budgetary performance summary

Table 6: Actual three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars) 

Table 6 shows the money that NSIRA Secretariat spent in each of the past three years on its core responsibilities and on internal services.
Core responsibilities and internal services 2024–25 Main Estimates 2024–25 total authorities available for use Actual spending over three years (authorities used)
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations $10,740,188 $12,408,984 • 2022–23:$7,765,271
• 2023–24:$9,110,398
• 2024–25:$10,856,293
Subtotal $10,740,188 $12,408,984
Internal services $7,671,445 $8,285,127 • 2022–23:$10,532,876
• 2023–24:$10,535,328
• 2024–25:$7,983,296
Total $18,411,633 $20,694,110 • 2022-23 $18,298,147
• 2023-24 $19,645,726
• 2024-25 $18,839,589
Analysis of the past three years of spending

The spending increase in internal services in 2023–24 and 2024–25 reflects expenditures related to a construction project carried out during this two-year period. The increase over the three-year time period in National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations is mostly a result of increasing numbers of FTEs and rising salary costs.  

The Finances section of the Infographic for NSIRA Secretariat on GC Infobase  offers more financial information from previous years.  

Table 7: Planned three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars) 

Table 7 shows NSIRA secretariat’s planned spending for each of the next three years on its core responsibilities and on internal services.
Core responsibilities and internal services 2025–26 planned spending 2026–27 planned spending 2027–28 planned spending
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations $11,280,435 $11,296,175 $11,296,175
Subtotal $11,280,435 $11,296,175 $11,296,175
Internal services $8,164,617 $8,176,009 $8,176,009
Total $19,445,052 $19,472,184 $19,472,184
Analysis of the next three years of spending

Spending is expected to remain consistent over the next 3 years. 

The Finances section of the Infographic for NSIRA Secretariat on GC Infobase  offers more detailed financial information related to future years.  

Funding

This section provides an overview of the department’s voted and statutory funding for its core responsibilities and for internal services. Consult the Government of Canada budgets and expenditures  for further information on funding authorities. 

Graph 1: Approved funding (statutory and voted) over a six-year period

Graph 1 summarizes the department’s approved voted and statutory funding from 2022-23 to 2027-28.
Fiscal year Statutory Voted Total
2022-23 $1,300,166 $16,988,980 $18,289,147
2023-24 $1,755,229 $21,253,996 $23,009,225
2024-25 $1,764,845 $16,810,265 $18,575,110
2025-26 $1,748,047 $17,697,005 $19,445,052
2026-27 $1,751,989 $17,720,195 $19,472,184
2027-28 $1,751,989 $17,720,195 $19,472,184
Analysis of statutory and voted funding over a six-year period

Funding is expected to remain constant over the next 3 years.

Consult the Public Accounts of Canada for further information on NSIRA Secretariat’s departmental voted and statutory expenditures.  

Financial statement highlights

Please see NSIRA Secretariat’s Financial Statements (Unaudited) for the Year Ended March 31, 2025. 

Table 8: Condensed Statement of Operations (unaudited or audited) for the year ended March 31, 2025 (dollars) 

Table 8 summarizes the expenses and revenues for 2024–25 which net to the cost of operations before government funding and transfers.
Financial information 2024–25 actual results 2023–24 actual results Difference (2024-25 minus 2023-24)
Total expenses $20,799 $18,223 $2,576
Total revenues $0 $0 $0
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers $20,799 $18,223 $2,576

The 2024–25 planned results information is provided in NSIRA Secretariat’s Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and Notes 2024–25.

Table 9: Condensed Statement of Operations (unaudited or audited) for 2023-24 and 2024-25 (dollars) 

Table 9 summarizes actual expenses and revenues and shows the net cost of operations before government funding and transfers.
Financial information 2024–25 actual results 2023–24 actual results Difference (2024-25 minus 2023-24)
Total expenses $20,799 $18,223 $2,576
Total revenues $0 $0 $0
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers $20,799 $18,223 $2,576

Table 10 Condensed Statement of Financial Position (unaudited or audited) as of March 31, 2025 (dollars)   

Table 10 provides a brief snapshot of the amounts the department owes or must spend (liabilities) and its available resources (assets), which helps to indicate its ability to carry out programs and services.
Financial information Actual fiscal year (2024–25) Previous fiscal year (2023–24) Difference (2024–25 minus 2023–24)
Total net liabilities $2,461 $2,376 $85
Total net financial assets $1,634 $1,779 -$145
Departmental net debt $827 $597 $230
Total non-financial assets $7,155 $7,392 -$237
Departmental net financial position $6,328 $6,795 -$467

Human resources

This section presents an overview of the department’s actual and planned human resources from 2022–23 to 2027–28.  

Table 11: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services 

Table 11 shows a summary in full-time equivalents of human resources for NSIRA Secretariat’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years.
Core responsibilities and internal services 2022–23 actual FTEs 2023–24 actual FTEs 2024–25 actual FTEs
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 53 51 58
Subtotal 53 51 58
Internal services 25 24 29
Total 78 75 87
Analysis of human resources over the last three years

Over the past three fiscal years, the human resources levels at the Secretariat have experienced modest fluctuations, followed by notable growth. In 2022–23, the organization reported 78 full-time equivalents (FTEs), which slightly decreased to 75 in 2023–24, primarily due to attrition and staffing delays. However, in 2024–25, the total FTEs rose to 87—signifying a significant increase that reflects a decline in employee turnover and successful recruitment to previously vacant positions. This increase in staffing has enhanced the Secretariat’s capacity to fulfill its mandate, both in its core responsibilities and in internal services, thereby reinforcing organizational stability and operational effectiveness. 

Table 12: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services 

Table 12 shows the planned full-time equivalents for each of NSIRA Secretariat’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the next three years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecast based on year to date.
Core responsibilities and internal services 2025–26 planned full-time equivalents 2026–27 planned full-time equivalents 2027–28 planned full-time equivalents
National Security and Intelligence Reviews and Complaints Investigations 69 69 69
Subtotal 69 69 69
Internal services 31 31 31
Total 100 100 100

FTE count to remain constant across the board 

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on NSIRA Secretariat’s website:

  • Gender-based Analysis Plus

NSIRA remains committed to integrating Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) into its governance and operations. In 2024-25 NSIRA advanced internal awareness through training and policy development to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations inform both its internal practices and its external functions. As part of these efforts, a fact sheet on Inclusive Recruitment was shared to support more equitable hiring practices, and work is underway to update the Pay Equity Plan. These efforts support NSIRA’s broader commitment to fair, evidence-based accountability in the national security and intelligence accountability landscape.

Federal tax expenditures

The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs as well as evaluations and GBA Plus of tax expenditures.

Corporate information

Departmental profile

Appropriate minister(s): The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada 

Institutional head: Charles Fugère, Executive Director 

Ministerial portfolio: Privy Council Office 

Enabling instrument(s): National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act 

Year of incorporation / commencement: 2019 

Departmental contact information

Mailing address:

National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Secretariat
P.O. Box 2430, Station B
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5

Email: info@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca

Website(s): https://nsira-ossnr.gc.ca/

Federal tax expenditures

The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs as well as evaluations and GBA Plus of tax expenditures. 

Definitions

appropriation (crédit)

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

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

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

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)  

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

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

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

departmental priority (priorité)

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

departmental result (résultat ministériel)

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

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

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

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

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

Full-time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

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

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

An analytical tool used to assess support the development of responsive and inclusive how different groups of women, men and gender-diverse people experience policies, programs and policies, programs, and other initiatives. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue or opportunity being addressed by the initiative; identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted; and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus is an intersectional analysis that goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2022–23 Departmental Results Report, government-wide priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the November 23, 2021, Speech from the Throne: building a healthier today and tomorrow; growing a more resilient economy; bolder climate action; fight harder for safer communities; standing up for diversity and inclusion; moving faster on the path to reconciliation; and fighting for a secure, just and equitable world.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

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

non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

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

performance (rendement)

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

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

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

plan (plan)

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

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

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

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

program (programme)

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

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

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

result (résultat)

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

Indigenous business (entreprise autochtones)

For the purpose of the Directive on the Management of Procurement Appendix E: Mandatory Procedures for Contracts Awarded to Indigenous Businesses and the Government of Canada’s commitment that a mandatory minimum target of 5% of the total value of contracts is awarded to Indigenous businesses, a department that meets the definition and requirements as defined by the Indigenous Business Directory. 

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

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

target (cible)

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

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

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

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ISSN: 2563-5174

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Date Modified:

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

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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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Review of Canada Revenue Agency’s Review and Analysis Division (RAD): Report

Review of Canada Revenue Agency’s Review and Analysis Division (RAD)

Report

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Review of Canada Revenue Agency’s Review and Analysis Division (RAD): Backgrounder

Review of Canada Revenue Agency’s Review and Analysis Division (RAD)

Backgrounder

Backgrounder

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) recently finished a review of how the Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Review and Analysis Division (RAD) audits charities following serious concerns raised by Muslim-led charities about unfair treatment.

These concerns have been documented in research and advocacy reports, including a Senate report called Combatting Hate: Islamophobia and its Impact on Muslims in Canada. The report pointed out that Muslim charities were being targeted more often than others and recommended a close look at how RAD operates.

This review was done with NSIRA having full access to all the information they needed.

Purpose of the Review

RAD is the part of the CRA responsible for making sure charities are not being used to fund terrorism.

NSIRA’s goal was to check if RAD audits charities fairly and without discrimination following Canada’s laws and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

What NSIRA Found

Most charities audited by RAD were Muslim or Sikh. This raised questions about whether RAD might be unfairly targeting these groups.

Some charities were audited even though there was no clear risk of terrorist funding. This goes against CRA’s claim that RAD only investigates the highest-risk cases.

The CRA does not collect enough data about who they audit such as the religion or background of charities making it hard to say for sure whether discrimination is happening.

What NSIRA Recommends

NSIRA gave six recommendations to help the CRA prevent bias and discrimination including starting to collect data about the charities they audit to make sure the process is fair and transparent.

RAD should only audit charities when there is a clear credible reason related to terrorist funding risks.

The CRA disagreed with collecting more data but NSIRA says this information is important for fair oversight.

Why This Matters

NSIRA’s review does not say discrimination definitely happened but it shows there are serious risks and gaps that need fixing.

Making sure that audits are fair and unbiased is key to protecting all charities, building public trust and respecting Canadians’ rights.

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Strategic Plan 2024-2027

Strategic Plan 2024-2027

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Introduction

Without specialized national security review, much security service conduct would be immunized from scrutiny by reason of national security secrecy. NSIRA’s raison d’être is to ensure that there is no such immunity. NSIRA’s statute gives it two core mandates: conducting national security “reviews” of activities in the security and intelligence area; and conducting “investigations” of complaints brought against a subset of national security and intelligence services.

The review and investigation process serves to guard values essential to the Canadian project, including (especially) the rule of law: the notion that no one is above the law, and that a public official (including in the security and intelligence services) can only   exercise powers found in the law. At the same time, NSIRA’s work “stress tests” the national security and intelligence community aiming to make them better as institutions at meeting their mandates.

The Strategic Plan lays out the NSIRA’s strategic goals and objectives in the further pursuit of excellence in national security review and complaints investigations. This roadmap comprises four key areas and reflects NSIRA’s unwavering commitment to   independence, professionalism, transparency and inclusiveness. The Agency’s dedication to adapting to evolving challenges and innovate is demonstrated by its focus on technological advancement, robust security protocols, continuous learning, and streamlined internal services.

This strategic plan is not a fixed document but a living blueprint, guiding NSIRA in
enhancing its existing commitment to accountability, and effectiveness. Each goal and
objective stems from NSIRA’s mission to remain the trusted eyes and ears of
Canadians in the evolving landscape of security and intelligence activities.

Vision, Mission, Values

Strategic Goals

Rigorous Reviews

NSIRA recognizes its pivotal role in conducting thorough and impactful national security and intelligence activities reviews. By focusing on contemporary and evolving topical issues, and employing relevant methodologies and rigorous analysis, NSIRA ensures that its reviews, in aggregate, comprehensively assess these critical activities’ legality, reasonability, and necessity. The commitment to maintaining the highest review standards is a prerequisite to serving as a trusted institution for Canadians. NSIRA’s reviews offer valuable findings and recommendations to stakeholders and decision-makers and inform Canadian society in a transparent manner that supports effective democracy and government accountability.

Efficient Complaint Investigations

The focus on fair and efficient investigations underscores the agency’s commitment to
procedural fairness and impartiality, but also to access to justice principles that meaningfully empower complainants to be heard in a timely way and to see their matter investigated without delay. NSIRA diligently gathers and analyzes evidence, adhering to established investigative protocols and quasi-judicial best practices. The result is enhanced public trust and a robust contribution to upholding the rule of law.

Sustainable Corporate Infrastructure

Recognizing that rigorous reviews and effective investigations depend on mission support in the form of robust corporate and institutional infrastructure, NSIRA invests in cutting-edge technologies, specialized expertise, continuous learning, and a culture of collaboration. This ensures that information management and technology systems are optimized, that security postures reflect the highest standards, that human resources recruit and retain a workforce that is highly skilled, and that compliance to standard and financial management of the agency is efficient and agile. By providing a workplace that meets the highest expectations, NSIRA positions itself as capable of adapting to evolving challenges and making sustainable contributions to national security accountability.

Engaged Domestic and International Communities of Practice

NSIRA acknowledges the complexity of national security review challenges and the need for a collaborative approach. The emphasis on cooperation and engagement with domestic and international partners strengthens the effectiveness of reviews and investigations. In addition, by actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with Canadian and international accountability institutions, NSIRA contributes to developing global national security and intelligence review standards. The Agency becomes a vital participant in shaping the discourse on security, both at home and on the international stage. It becomes a recognized global centre of excellence in national security accountability and a global and national hub for a “community of review professionals”. NSIRA also continues to be a “learning organization”, drawing best practices from other bodies and jurisdictions into its own processes and procedures.

Objectives

Strategic Goal 1: Rigorous Reviews (R)

  1. R 1. Maintain independence, strong ethical standards and professionalism.
  2. R 2. Enhance review relevance through objective selection and prioritization criteria.
  3. R 3.Enhance review quality, in terms of depth, clarity, drafting and conciseness, including through key performance indicators.
  4. R 4.Enhance review production levels, including by developing processes that sustain a yearly production of 12 reviews.
  5. R 5.Develop mechanisms promoting reviewee’s responsiveness to review requirements, including through communications with agencies and escalation of issues up to ministerial level.
  6. R 6. Maintain transparency and pursue accessibility to the review work.
  7. R 7. Increase accountability through tracking, dissemination and follow-up of NSIRA’s findings and recommendations.
  8. R 8. Innovate review methodology through the development of new review tools with an emphasis on technology and sustainability.
  9. R 9.Maintain an evergreen review process which guides all aspects of NSIRA review.
  10. R 10. Employ appropriately skilled review teams.

Strategic Goal 2: Efficient Complaints Investigations (I)

  1. I 1. Enhance procedures and investigative protocols to maximize efficient and expeditious investigations while adhering to principles of procedural fairness and independence and the highest standards of professionalism.
  2. I 2. Maintain protocols for triaging investigations and establish key performance indicators for the efficient and prompt conduct of investigations.
  3. I 3. Implement advanced case management solutions that leverage automation and data analytics to enhance the efficiency of investigative workflows and track key performance indicators.
  4. I 4. Develop and implement standardized protocols for handling, analyzing, and storing digital evidence, ensuring a consistent and technologically advanced approach.
  5. I 5. Ensure accessibility of the rules of procedure and of the important legal precedents in a manner that enables “equity of arms” between the government and potential complainants and enhances access to justice.
  6. I 6. Increase accountability through tracking, dissemination and follow-up of NSIRA’s findings and recommendations.
  7. I 7. Move to integrate new streams of complaints into the investigation process in a fair and efficient manner, including by adopting novel approaches enabling investigation of high-volume complaints.

Strategic Goal 3: Sustainable Corporate Infrastructure (C)

  1. C 1. Explore best avenues to optimize NSIRA’s legislative governance structure and prepare for such change.
  2. C 2. Establish strategic planning process to guide institutional priorities, use of resources and deployment of activities.
  3. C 3. Implement mechanisms promoting innovation, personnel development, retention and wellbeing and demonstrating personnel diversity and expertise in recruitment, training and retention.
  4. C 4. Develop and implement means for insights and ideas generated through domestic and international stakeholders to be shared and internalized within NSIRA, ensuring that NSIRA remains a “learning organization”.
  5. C 5. Ensure the implementation of, and reliance on, the communication strategy.
  6. C 6. Develop and implement holistic information management infrastructure that supports current activities and allows for collecting, storing, retrieving and deleting information.
  7. C 7. Continue to strengthen security measures, including access controls, cyber security, surveillance systems, and facility security, to safeguard NSIRA’s premises, assets and employees.
  8. C 8. Implement measures to streamline administrative processes, reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies and enhancing the speed and accuracy of internal operations.
  9. C 9. Invest in technology upgrades and innovations to modernize internal systems, ensuring that NSIRA leverages cutting-edge tools for improved operational efficiency.
  10. C 10. Optimize and implement technologies that facilitate secure and efficient remote work options, and regional access, ensuring flexibility and inclusiveness in NSIRA’s workforce.

Strategic Goal 4: Engaged Domestic and International Communities of
Practice (E)

  1. E 1. Formulate and implement a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy with domestic review bodies and agents of Parliament, international review community, media and academic community.
  2. E 2. Formulate and implement a comprehensive media relations and communications strategy that assists media in reporting meaningfully and accurately on NSIRA’s work.
  3. E 3. Play an active role in developing global, national security and intelligence review standards by participating in international forums and collaborative initiatives.
  4. E 4. Develop and implement initiatives to enhance awareness and understanding of NSIRA’s role, objectives, and impact among external stakeholders, including the public, government officials, and other review/oversight bodies.
  5. E 5. Continue to enhance staff-level expertise building through training and education initiatives, both internal and external, and ensure that these opportunities are broadly shared.

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