December 3, 2025
Subject: Notification of NSIRA Follow-Up Review to Rebuilding Trust: Reforming the CSIS Warrant and Justice Legal Advisory Process
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 follow-up review to its 2022 review titled Rebuilding Trust: Reforming the CSIS Warrant and Justice Legal Advisory Process (Review # 21-18).
This review is being conducted pursuant to paragraphs 8(1)(a) and 8(1)(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 will review the implementation of recommendations made in 2022. NSIRA will measure progress at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Department of Justice and Public Safety in resolving the systemic issues with the warrants process and the identified issues pertaining to the provision of legal advice. Furthermore, NSIRA will examine and assess the implementation of new judicially authorized powers included in Part II of the CSIS Act.
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, written explanations, briefings, interviews, and any other information that NSIRA determines to be of relevance to this review. 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 Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
- The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety
cc
- Shalene Curtis-Micallef, Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada
- Tricia Geddes, Deputy Minister, Public Safety Canada
- Daniel Rogers, Director, Canadian Security Intelligence Service