Date of Publishing:
NSIRA’s Letter to the Ministers
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 Passenger Protect Program, within the context of its legislative framework, the Secure Air Travel Act (SATA).
This review is being conducted pursuant to paragraph 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’s review will examine processes for listing or de-listing individuals under section 8 of the SATA, and related administrative recourse. The review may also consider how the SATA list is used to screen air passengers. As such, NSIRA will review activities carried out by the following departments and agencies: the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA); the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS); the Department of Justice (DoJ); Global Affairs Canada (GAC); Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); Public Safety Canada; the Royal Canadian Mounted Policy (RCMP); and Transport Canada.
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
