July 10, 2025
Subject: Notification of NSIRA’s Review of Select Government of Canada Research Security Measures
Dear Ministers,
I am writing on behalf of the Members of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) to inform you that NSIRA has initiated a review of Select Government of Canada Research Security Measures.
This review is being conducted pursuant to paragraph 8(1)(a) and (b) of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act (NSIRA Act). The NSIRA Act grants NSIRA full and timely access to all information held by reviewed departments and agencies, including classified and privileged information, with the exception of Cabinet confidences.
NSIRA’s review will focus on the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC). It will examine whether government activities carried out in relation to these measures comply with applicable legal and policy requirements. It will also consider whether associated decisions are reasonable and fair.
NSIRA will engage with your officials regarding this review. As the review progresses, NSIRA’s review team will be in regular contact with them with requests for information. Such requests may involve documents, system access, written explanations, briefings, interviews, surveys, and any other information that NSIRA determines to be of relevance to this review. This review may also include independent inspections of some technical systems. NSIRA’s expectations for responsiveness are available online at https://nsira-ossnr.gc.ca.
I thank you in advance for your cooperation and support to the independent review process, which is key to transparency and democratic accountability.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Marie Deschamps, C.C.
Chair, National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
Dist.
- The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister, Foreign Affairs
- The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister, Public Safety
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister, Industry
- The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister, National Defence
- The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister, Health
cc
- The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister, International Trade
- Prof. Alejandro Adem, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Tricia Geddes, Deputy Minister, Public Safety Canada
- Dr. Paul Hébert, President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Dr. Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
- Philip Jennings, Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development
- David Morrison, Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs
- Daniel Rogers, Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service
- Rob Stewart, Deputy Minister, International Trade, Global Affairs Canada
- Caroline Xavier, Chief, Communications Security Establishment