{"id":16818,"date":"2026-07-13T12:05:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letter-to-the-chair-of-the-standing-committee-on-public-safety-and-national-security-2\/"},"modified":"2026-07-31T14:16:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T18:16:11","slug":"letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.share-row-container {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-wrap: nowrap;\n    justify-content: center;\n    gap: 10px;\n    border-radius: 10px;\n    list-style: none;\n}\n.share-item-link {\n    color: #fff !important;\n    padding: 4px 12px;\n    border-radius: 5px;\n    text-decoration: none !important;\n    font-size: 14px;\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    white-space: nowrap;\n    transition: transform 0.2s;\n}\n.share-item-link:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); }\n.share-text-label { color: #fff; font-weight: bold; padding: 4px 12px; }\n<\/style>\n\n<div id=\"hero-banner-post\" style=\"background:url(\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reviews-Banner-2.jpg);background-size:cover;background-position:unset;border-width:0 0 10px 0;border-color:#eeeeee;padding:50px 0;\">\n<div class=\"grid-container\">\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"text-center grid-lg-12 grid-md-12 grid-12\">\n<h1 style=\"font-size: 2.25em; border:none;\" class=\"has-text-color has-white-color wp-block-post-title\">Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure<\/h1>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-white-background-color\">\n<div style=\"display:inline-block;text-align:left;\">\n<ul class=\"share-row-container\">\n<li class=\"share-text-label\">Share on:<\/li><li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnsira-ossnr.gc.ca%2Fen%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fpages%2F16818\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"share-item-link\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"width:18px;height:18px;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:6px;fill:#fff;\"><path d=\"M16 8.049c0-4.446-3.582-8.05-8-8.05C3.58 0-.002 3.603-.002 8.05c0 4.017 2.926 7.347 6.75 7.951v-5.625h-2.03V8.05H6.75V6.275c0-2.017 1.195-3.131 3.022-3.131.876 0 1.791.157 1.791.157v1.98h-1.009c-.993 0-1.303.621-1.303 1.258v1.51h2.218l-.354 2.326H9.25V16c3.824-.604 6.75-3.934 6.75-7.951\"\/><\/svg>Facebook\n        <\/a>\n    <\/li><li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fnsira-ossnr.gc.ca%2Fen%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fpages%2F16818\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"share-item-link\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"width:18px;height:18px;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:6px;fill:#fff;\"><path d=\"M0 1.146C0 .513.526 0 1.175 0h13.65C15.474 0 16 .513 16 1.146v13.708c0 .633-.526 1.146-1.175 1.146H1.175C.526 16 0 15.487 0 14.854zm4.943 12.248V6.169H2.542v7.225zm-1.2-8.212c.837 0 1.358-.554 1.358-1.248-.015-.709-.52-1.248-1.342-1.248S2.4 3.226 2.4 3.934c0 .694.521 1.248 1.327 1.248zm4.908 8.212V9.359c0-.216.016-.432.08-.586.173-.431.568-.878 1.232-.878.869 0 1.216.662 1.216 1.634v3.865h2.401V9.25c0-2.22-1.184-3.252-2.764-3.252-1.274 0-1.845.7-2.165 1.193v.025h-.016l.016-.025V6.169h-2.4c.03.678 0 7.225 0 7.225z\"\/><\/svg>LinkedIn\n        <\/a>\n    <\/li><li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnsira-ossnr.gc.ca%2Fen%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fpages%2F16818\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"share-item-link\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"width:18px;height:18px;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:6px;fill:#fff;\"><path d=\"M12.6.75h2.454l-5.36 6.142L16 15.25h-4.937l-3.867-5.07-4.425 5.07H.316l5.733-6.57L0 .75h5.063l3.495 4.633L12.601.75Zm-.86 13.028h1.36L4.323 2.145H2.865z\"\/><\/svg>X\n        <\/a>\n    <\/li><li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"share-item-link\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"width:18px;height:18px;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:6px;fill:#fff;\"><path d=\"M8.051 1.999h.089c.822.003 4.987.033 6.11.335a2.01 2.01 0 0 1 1.415 1.42c.101.38.172.883.22 1.402l.01.104.022.26.008.104c.065.914.073 1.77.074 1.957v.075c-.001.194-.10 1.108-.082 2.06l-.008.105-.009.104c-.05.572-.124 1.14-.235 1.558a2.01 2.01 0 0 1-1.415 1.42c-1.16.312-5.569.334-6.18.335h-.142c-.309 0-1.587-.006-2.927-.052l-.17-.006-.087-.004-.171-.007-.171-.007c-1.11-.049-2.167-.128-2.654-.26a2.01 2.01 0 0 1-1.415-1.419c-.111-.417-.185-.986-.235-1.558L.09 9.82l-.008-.104A31 31 0 0 1 0 7.68v-.123c.002-.215.01-.958.064-1.778l.007-.103.003-.052.008-.104.022-.26.01-.104c.048-.519.119-1.023.22-1.402a2.01 2.01 0 0 1 1.415-1.42c.487-.13 1.544-.21 2.654-.26l.17-.007.172-.006.086-.003.171-.007A100 100 0 0 1 7.858 2zM6.4 5.209v4.818l4.157-2.408z\"\/><\/svg>YouTube\n        <\/a>\n    <\/li><li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"share-item-link\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 640\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" style=\"width:18px;height:18px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:6px;fill:#fff;\"><path d=\"M439.8 358.7C436.5 358.3 433.1 357.9 429.8 357.4C433.2 357.8 436.5 358.3 439.8 358.7zM320 291.1C293.9 240.4 222.9 145.9 156.9 99.3C93.6 54.6 69.5 62.3 53.6 69.5C35.3 77.8 32 105.9 32 122.4C32 138.9 41.1 258 47 277.9C66.5 343.6 136.1 365.8 200.2 358.6C203.5 358.1 206.8 357.7 210.2 357.2C206.9 357.7 203.6 358.2 200.2 358.6C106.3 372.6 22.9 406.8 132.3 528.5C252.6 653.1 297.1 501.8 320 425.1C342.9 501.8 369.2 647.6 505.6 528.5C608 425.1 533.7 372.5 439.8 358.6C436.5 358.2 433.1 357.8 429.8 357.3C433.2 357.7 436.5 358.2 439.8 358.6C503.9 365.7 573.4 343.5 593 277.9C598.9 258 608 139 608 122.4C608 105.8 604.7 77.7 586.4 69.5C570.6 62.4 546.4 54.6 483.2 99.3C417.1 145.9 346.1 240.4 320 291.1z\"\/><\/svg>Bluesky\n        <\/a>\n    <\/li><li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"share-item-link\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"width:18px;height:18px;vertical-align:middle;margin-right:6px;fill:#fff;\"><path d=\"M15 3.604H1v1.891h14v-1.89ZM1 7.208V16l7-3.926L15 16V7.208zM15 0H1v1.89h14z\"\/><\/svg>Substack\n        <\/a>\n    <\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<section id=\"gm9722396\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m4 section-gm9722396 gutentor-module gutentor-advanced-columns\"><div class=\"grid-container\"><div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div id=\"col-gmc3defd\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m4-col col-gmc3defd gutentor-single-column  grid-lg-3 grid-md-12 grid-12 section-sticky\"><div id=\"section-gmc3defd\" class=\"section-gmc3defd gutentor-col-wrap\">\n<section id=\"1357ef\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m13 section-1357ef gutentor-module gutentor-module-table-of-contents\"><div class=\"grid-container\"><div class=\"g-toc\"><div class=\"g-toc-header\"><div class=\"g-toc-heading\"><div class=\"g-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"g-toc-body\" style=\"display:\"><ol class=\"g-ordered-list\" type=\"none\"><li><a href=\"#1-\">Letter to Chair of Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-\">Letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on National Security Defence and Veteran Affairs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-\">Strengthening oversight and accountability: Modernizing NSIRA for today\u2019s national security and intelligence environment<\/a><ol class=\"child-list\"><li><a href=\"#4-\">A new governance model<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-\">NSIRA as an Agent of Parliament<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6-\">Strengthening NSIRA\u2019s mandate<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"col-gmb53548\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m4-col col-gmb53548 gutentor-single-column  grid-lg-9 grid-md-12 grid-12 content-body\"><div id=\"section-gmb53548\" class=\"section-gmb53548 gutentor-col-wrap\">\n<h2 id=\"1-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Letter to Chair of Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 has-nsira-blue-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Date of Publishing:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"mrgn-bttm-lg wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-13T12:05:54-04:00\">July 13, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chair<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>House of Commons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dear Mr. Chair,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On behalf of the members of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA or Agency), I am pleased to share with the Committee NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As an independent review body, NSIRA\u2019s role is to provide trusted, impartial review of national security and intelligence activities across the Government of Canada. Through its experience carrying out this mandate over the past six years, NSIRA has gained valuable operational insight into the authorities, structures, and processes that support effective independent review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On July 12, 2019, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act (\u201cThe NSIRA Act\u201d) came into force, establishing NSIRA with a mandate to investigate public complaints and review national security and intelligence activities. At the time of NSIRA\u2019s inception, it was recognized that NSIRA\u2019s structure and legislative framework would need to be assessed over time to ensure it continued to effectively support its mandate in a changing national security and intelligence environment. In this regard, Bill C-59, An Act Respecting National Security Matters, included provisions for a mandatory review of the legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Parliament considers the future evolution of the NSIRA Act, the Agency is sharing these recommendations proactively, drawing on its experience delivering on its mandate and on practices adopted by international counterparts. The national security and intelligence landscape continues to evolve, and maintaining effective independent review requires ensuring that the appropriate authorities, tools, and governance structures are in place to support timely and comprehensive reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attached is an infographic outlining NSIRA\u2019s observations and proposed amendments for the Committee\u2019s consideration. These recommendations are intended to provide practical insights and support informed discussion on ways to continue strengthening Canada\u2019s national security and intelligence accountability framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NSIRA recognizes the important role of Parliament in examining and considering matters related to national security and intelligence, including the important work of the Committee in this area. NSIRA appreciates the Committee\u2019s consideration of these observations and welcomes the opportunity to provide its perspective in support of informed discussions on the continued evolution of Canada\u2019s national security and intelligence accountability framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\">The Honourable Marie Deschamps, C.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chair, National Security and Intelligence Review Agency<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">cc Andrew Wilson, Clerk, Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"2-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on National Security Defence and Veteran Affairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 has-nsira-blue-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Date of Publishing:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"mrgn-bttm-lg wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-13T12:05:54-04:00\">July 13, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Honourable Marty Deacon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chair<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Senate of Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dear Madam Chair:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On behalf of the members of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA or Agency), I am pleased to share with the Committee NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As an independent expert review body, NSIRA\u2019s role is to provide trusted, impartial review of national security and intelligence activities across the Government of Canada. Through its experience carrying out this mandate over the past six years, NSIRA has gained valuable operational insight into the authorities, structures, and processes that support effective independent review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On July 12, 2019, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act (\u201cThe NSIRA Act\u201d) came into force, establishing NSIRA with a mandate to investigate public complaints and review national security and intelligence activities. At the time of NSIRA\u2019s inception, it was recognized that NSIRA\u2019s structure and legislative framework would need to be assessed over time to ensure it continued to effectively support its mandate in a changing national security and intelligence environment. In this regard, Bill C-59, An Act Respecting National Security Matters, included provisions for a mandatory review of the legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Parliament considers the future evolution of the NSIRA Act, the Agency is sharing these recommendations proactively, drawing on its experience delivering on its mandate and on practices adopted by international counterparts. The national security and intelligence landscape continues to evolve, and maintaining effective independent review requires ensuring that the appropriate authorities, tools, and governance structures are in place to support timely and comprehensive reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attached is an infographic outlining NSIRA\u2019s observations and proposed amendments for the Committee\u2019s consideration. These recommendations are intended to provide practical insights and support informed discussion on ways to continue strengthening Canada\u2019s national security and intelligence accountability framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NSIRA recognizes the important role of Parliament in examining and considering matters related to national security and intelligence, including the important work of the Committee in this area. NSIRA appreciates the Committee\u2019s consideration of these observations and welcomes the opportunity to provide its perspective in support of informed discussions on the continued evolution of Canada\u2019s national security and intelligence accountability framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 wp-block-paragraph\">The Honourable Marie Deschamps, C.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chair, National Security and Intelligence Review Agency<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">cc Ericka Paajanen, Clerk, Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"3-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strengthening oversight and accountability: Modernizing NSIRA for today\u2019s national security and intelligence environment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"4-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A new governance model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) must have the independence, authority, and tools required to keep pace with modern national security and intelligence activities and keep those with power accountable. At the time of NSIRA\u2019s inception, it was recognized by the government of the day that the structure of NSIRA may need to evolve over time. Five years of operations have shown that NSIRA\u2019s structure and legislative framework now require modernization. NSIRA is proposing a set of targeted statutory amendments and a new governance model to enhance the degree to which national security and intelligence activities across government remain subject to rigorous, independent scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"5-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">NSIRA as an Agent of Parliament<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NSIRA is proposing to replace its current multi-member structure with a single, fully independent Review Commissioner who reports directly to Parliament, similar to the Auditor General or the Privacy Commissioner, and who oversees a unitary institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style data-wp-block-html=\"css\">\n:root {\n    --navy: #1F3864;\n    --mauve: #9E7B7B;\n    --body: #1F3864;\n  }\n\n  * { box-sizing: border-box; }\n\n  body {\n    margin: 0;\n    font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\n  }\n\n  .items {\n    max-width: 1400px;\n    margin: 0 auto;\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n  }\n\n  .item {\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: stretch;\n    padding: 28px 0;\n  }\n\n  .item + .item {\n    border-top: 1px solid #d9d9d9;\n  }\n\n  .number {\n    flex: 0 0 110px;\n    font-size: 72px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    color: var(--mauve);\n    line-height: 1;\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    justify-content: center;\n  }\n\n  .bar {\n    flex: 0 0 4px;\n    background: var(--mauve);\n    margin: 0 28px;\n  }\n\n  .content {\n    flex: 1;\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    justify-content: center;\n  }\n\n  .content h3 {\n    margin: 0 0 10px 0;\n    color: var(--navy);\n    font-size: 22px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n  }\n\n  .content p {\n    margin: 0;\n    color: var(--body);\n    font-size: 16px;\n    line-height: 1.55;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 700px) {\n    .item { flex-direction: column; }\n    .number { justify-content: flex-start; padding-bottom: 8px; }\n    .bar { display: none; }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"items\">\n\n  <div class=\"item\">\n    <div class=\"number\">1<\/div>\n    <div class=\"bar\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"content\">\n      <h3>Create a new independent office<\/h3>\n      <p>A new position \u2013 the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Commissioner (Review Commissioner) \u2013 would be created as an Officer of Parliament. They would report directly to Parliament, not through the government of the day, strengthening independence. A Deputy Commissioner would be appointed to support the Review Commissioner. Both roles would have fixed terms and the appointees would hold office on a full time basis and during good behaviour to protect their independence.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"item\">\n    <div class=\"number\">2<\/div>\n    <div class=\"bar\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"content\">\n      <h3>Merge NSIRA\u2019s member-based leadership and secretariat into one unified office<\/h3>\n      <p>Instead of having separate membership and secretariat structures, all functions and structures would be consolidated under the Review Commissioner into one office of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Commissioner, with the Review Commissioner as Deputy Head and employer. This would create congruence in the assignment of authorities, mandate responsibilities and accountabilities, and align NSIRA with several of its close partner review or oversight bodies.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"item\">\n    <div class=\"number\">3<\/div>\n    <div class=\"bar\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"content\">\n      <h3>Replace part-time members with decision-makers appointed by the Review Commissioner<\/h3>\n      <p>Instead of part-time members appointed by the Governor in Council, the Review Commissioner would be able to appoint staff as decision-makers, ensuring greater agility in calibrating resources to the increasing demands of review work and complaint investigations.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"item\">\n    <div class=\"number\">4<\/div>\n    <div class=\"bar\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"content\">\n      <h3>Ensure independence in the allocation of the Review Commissioner\u2019s funding<\/h3>\n      <p>The Review Commissioner would prepare their own budget, which would be submitted directly to Parliament for approval, mirroring the funding process of some other Officers of Parliament and strengthening independence from government.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"section-g92258f\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m12 section-g92258f gutentor-module gutentor-module-quote\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"6-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strengthening NSIRA\u2019s mandate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NSIRA is proposing several reforms to its Act to ensure that it can function as intended, including the following key elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style data-wp-block-html=\"css\">\n .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a, .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a * {\n    box-sizing: border-box !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a {\n    margin: 0 !important;\n    padding: 40px 10px !important;\n    background: #ffffff !important;\n    font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-items {\n    max-width: 1400px !important;\n    margin: 0 auto !important;\n    display: grid !important;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr) !important;\n    gap: 0 !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-item {\n    padding: 0 20px !important;\n    margin: 0 !important;\n    border: none !important;\n    background: transparent !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-item + .nsira-item {\n    border-left: 1px solid #d9d9d9 !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-number {\n    font-size: 44px !important;\n    font-weight: 700 !important;\n    color: #9E7B7B !important;\n    line-height: 1 !important;\n    margin: 0 0 10px 0 !important;\n    padding: 0 !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-rule {\n    height: 2px !important;\n    background: #9E7B7B !important;\n    margin: 0 0 16px 0 !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-content p {\n    margin: 0 !important;\n    padding: 0 !important;\n    color: #1F3864 !important;\n    font-size: 14.5px !important;\n    line-height: 1.5 !important;\n    font-weight: 400 !important;\n  }\n\n  .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-content strong {\n    font-weight: 700 !important;\n    color: #1F3864 !important;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 900px) {\n    .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-items {\n      grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr) !important;\n      row-gap: 28px !important;\n    }\n    .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-item:nth-child(odd) {\n      border-left: none !important;\n    }\n    .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-item:nth-child(3) {\n      border-left: 1px solid #d9d9d9 !important;\n    }\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 560px) {\n    .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-items {\n      grid-template-columns: 1fr !important;\n    }\n    .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-item {\n      border-left: none !important;\n    }\n    .nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a .nsira-item + .nsira-item {\n      border-left: none !important;\n      border-top: 1px solid #d9d9d9 !important;\n      padding-top: 24px !important;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"nsira-prop-wrap-7f3a\">\n\n\n<div class=\"nsira-items\">\n\n  <div class=\"nsira-item\">\n    <div class=\"nsira-number\">1<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-rule\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-content\">\n      <p><strong>Immunity and non-compellability clauses:<\/strong> Create new protections for the organization and its staff to ensure they can do the work independently and unimpeded by risks of being brought into parallel external litigation proceedings.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"nsira-item\">\n    <div class=\"nsira-number\">2<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-rule\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-content\">\n      <p><strong>Clarify NSIRA&rsquo;s review publication expectations:<\/strong> Address explicitly NSIRA&rsquo;s authority to release declassified versions of its review reports, thus promoting transparency and public engagement while safeguarding national security.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"nsira-item\">\n    <div class=\"nsira-number\">3<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-rule\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-content\">\n      <p><strong>Power to compel information across all mandates:<\/strong> Extend NSIRA&rsquo;s investigatory power to compel individuals to share documents, evidence, and testimony to its review mandate, ensuring the Agency can fully and effectively conduct reviews across government.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"nsira-item\">\n    <div class=\"nsira-number\">4<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-rule\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-content\">\n      <p><strong>Time limit to file complaints:<\/strong> Introduce a time limit for filing complaints, thus aligning with other complaint-based recourse mechanisms across government to ensure more efficient service delivery.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"nsira-item\">\n    <div class=\"nsira-number\">5<\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-rule\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"nsira-content\">\n      <p><strong>Explicit manner of access rights:<\/strong> Clarify NSIRA&rsquo;s ability to determine the manner by which it implements its right to access information, such as the right to enter government buildings, access databases and IT systems, interview public servants privately, and conduct on-site inspections.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2712,"parent":16626,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-nsira-subpages.php","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[188],"class_list":["post-16818","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-submissions"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure - National Security and Intelligence Review Agency<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure - National Security and Intelligence Review Agency\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"National Security and Intelligence Review Agency\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-31T18:16:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reports-Featured.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"350\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/\",\"name\":\"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure - National Security and Intelligence Review Agency\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-13T16:05:54+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-31T18:16:11+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Publications\",\"item\":\"\/publications\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Submissions\",\"item\":\"\/publications\/submissions\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/\",\"name\":\"National Security and Intelligence Review Agency\",\"description\":\"Official Website\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure - National Security and Intelligence Review Agency","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure - National Security and Intelligence Review Agency","og_url":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/","og_site_name":"National Security and Intelligence Review Agency","article_modified_time":"2026-07-31T18:16:11+00:00","og_image":[{"width":350,"height":500,"url":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reports-Featured.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/","url":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/","name":"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure - National Security and Intelligence Review Agency","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-07-13T16:05:54+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-31T18:16:11+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-CA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/publications\/submissions\/letters-committees-nsira-legislative-framework-governance\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Publications","item":"\/publications\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Submissions","item":"\/publications\/submissions\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Letters to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veteran Affairs on NSIRA\u2019s observations and recommendations regarding potential opportunities to further strengthen its legislative framework and governance structure"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/#website","url":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/","name":"National Security and Intelligence Review Agency","description":"Official Website","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-CA"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16818"}],"version-history":[{"count":68,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16911,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16818\/revisions\/16911"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16626"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}