Submission Date
July 30, 2025
The Honourable David J. McGuinty
Minister
National Defence
Subject: Notification of NSIRA’s Technical Assurance Review (TAR) of a Specific CSE Activity
Dear Minister McGuinty,
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 Technical Assurance Review (TAR) on a specific activity conducted by the Communications Security Establishment (CSE).
We are introducing a new type of engagement with this review, the TAR, as a more focused alternative to our traditional review practice. A TAR is a short-term review that uses independent technical analysis to provide Canadians with an appropriate level of assurance on a specific system, application, process, or departmental activity.
This review is being conducted pursuant to paragraph 8(1)(a) 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.
We have already briefed CSE officials on this new review practice. As the review progresses, we will work closely with them to define the precise scope and execution details. To complete this review, our team may require access to relevant documentation, briefings, interviews, surveys, and any other information NSIRA determines to be of relevance. This review will require direct or directed access to technical systems as part of the review’s independent assurance activity. 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
cc Caroline Xavier, Chief, Communications Security Establishment