Have you been denied or revoked a security clearance? Do you want to challenge a decision to deny or revoke a security clearance?
Here’s what you do…
Before a complaint can be made to NSIRA, you must:
1. Have a copy of the written notice of the Deputy Head of the federal department or agency regarding the denial or revocation of a security clearance.
Note: NSIRA does not hear complaints concerning a reliability status. Click here for more information.
What you need to know:
- You don’t need to pay a fee to submit a complaint
- You don’t need to hire a lawyer or get legal assistance
- If you decide to seek legal advice, you are responsible for paying your legal fees and associated costs
- NSIRA is an independent and external review agency
When NSIRA receives your complaint form and documentation, NSIRA will:
- Notify you that we have received your complaint
- Contact the department(s) who made the decision to deny/revoke your security clearance
- Ask you and the department to provide an explanation (in the form of a letter or e-mail) about why you believe NSIRA has the mandate to investigate your complaint. This is what NSIRA is looking for:
- Is your complaint regarding the denial/revocation of a security clearance by a Deputy Head; or
- Is your complaint regarding the denial of a contract to provide goods and services to the Government of Canada by reason only of the denial/revocation of a security clearance;
- Conduct a preliminary review of the information received from both parties and determine if the complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate the complaint
What do you do next?
Complete the form.
Note: You must submit your form within 30 days of receiving your denial/revocation notice.
Please include as much detail as possible, including names, dates and any other relevant information to assist NSIRA in its investigation of your complaint.
For the security of your information, please send your complaint, including a copy of the notice from the Deputy Head, to NSIRA by courier/mail to:
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
P.O. Box 2430
Station “D”
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5
What happens next?
What happens if your complaint does not fall within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?
Should NSIRA determine it is not within its mandate to investigate your complaint, your complaint file will be closed. NSIRA will inform you, by letter, of its decision.
Your complaint may not have been accepted by NSIRA because NSIRA does not investigate complaints concerning the denial or revocation of a reliability status. Click here for information about the review and rights of redress available to challenge a decision to deny or revoke a reliability status.
What happens if your complaint falls within NSIRA’s mandate to investigate?
NSIRA will inform you and the respondent (s) of the next steps in the complaint process.
In accordance with section 22 of the NSIRA Act, the Review Agency will prepare a statement of circumstances summarizing the information giving rise to the denial of your security clearance and provide it to you once it has been vetted for national security concerns.
NSIRA may contact you and seek your availability for an investigative interview to clarify the nature and scope of your allegations. It may hold a case management conference to determine procedural matters.
NSIRA may also determine that an oral or written hearing is necessary in order to fully investigate and consider some or all of the issues of your complaint
Here’s what happens next following NSIRA’s consideration of the evidence:
Once NSIRA has examined the documentary evidence, conducted investigative interviews and/or held a hearing, the NSIRA Member assigned to investigate your complaint will prepare a final report which will include its findings and/or recommendations based on the evidence and written submissions received from the parties. An unclassified copy of the final report will be sent to you.
Contact us
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
Investigations
P.O. Box 2430, Station “D”
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5W5
Telephone: 1-833-890-0293
Fax: (613) 907-4445
Email: Registrar-Greffier@nsira-ossnr.gc.ca
