Allegations against CSIS for travel difficulties, harassment, and discrimination

The complainant alleged that, following an overseas trip, they experienced difficulties travelling internationally, which they believed were attributable to CSIS and CSIS’ sharing of information with the governments of foreign countries. The complainant claimed that CSIS had placed them on a “blacklist” as a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. They further alleged that CSIS harassed them and discriminated against them on the basis of race, ethnic origin, and religion.  

At the time of the complainant’s trip, certain countries were regularly being used by extremist travellers from North America and Europe as intermediate destinations to access Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-controlled territory. 

The complainant’s family was interviewed by CSIS to gain information about the complainant, their beliefs, and possible intentions. The complainant considered this interaction to have been an inappropriate and wrongful interrogation of members of their family. 

Upon review of all of the evidence, NSIRA found the activities of CSIS in this matter to have been lawful and reasonable. While investigative steps were conducted by CSIS, there was no evidence suggesting that CSIS placed the complainant on a blacklist or that information pertaining to the complainant was shared improperly. Similarly, the allegation that CSIS was responsible for the complainant’s travel difficulties was found to be unsubstantiated. The source of the complainant’s travel difficulties may lie outside of Canadian authorities, and thus beyond the scope of NSIRA’s jurisdiction. 

NSIRA concluded that CSIS conducted an interview with the complainant’s parent at their home and with other family members present, during which their parent participated voluntarily and expressed their willingness to be of further assistance if required. The basis for conducting this interview was found to be reasonable and NSIRA did not find any evidence of inappropriateness, intimidation, wrongdoing, or harassment. 

NSIRA did not find an evidentiary basis to support the allegations of harassment and of discrimination on the basis of racial, ethnic origins, or religion by CSIS against the complainant. 

The complainant’s allegations were found to be unsupported.