{"id":8313,"date":"2025-12-16T10:32:54","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T19:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/public-statements\/race-based-data-and-the-collection-of-demographic-information-within-the-crcc-and-nsira-2\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T13:46:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T17:46:18","slug":"letter-to-the-chair-of-the-standing-committee-on-public-safety-and-national-security","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nsira-ossnr.gc.ca\/en\/publications\/submissions\/letter-to-the-chair-of-the-standing-committee-on-public-safety-and-national-security\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security"},"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   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class=\"section-gm801abd gutentor-col-wrap\">\n<section id=\"e85ff7\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m13 section-e85ff7 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-expanded-powers-require-well-resourced-independent-review\">Expanded powers require well-resourced independent review<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-canadians-expect-accountability-transparency-and-effectiveness\">Canadians expect accountability, transparency, and effectiveness<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-bill-c-12-expands-the-government%E2%80%99s-national-security-footprint\">Bill C-12 expands the government\u2019s national security footprint<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#7-nsira-will-be-called-upon-to-do-more-as-a-result-of-c-12\">NSIRA will be called upon to do more as a result of C-12<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#9-under-resourced-independent-review-risks-core-canadian-values\">Under-resourced independent review risks core Canadian values<\/a><\/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-gmb55418\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m4-col col-gmb55418 gutentor-single-column  grid-lg-9 grid-md-12 grid-12 content-body\"><div id=\"section-gmb55418\" class=\"section-gmb55418 gutentor-col-wrap\">\n<p class=\"mrgn-bttm-0 has-nsira-blue-color has-text-color\"><strong>Date of Publishing:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"mrgn-bttm-lg wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2025-12-16T10:32:54-05:00\">December 16, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"gm38b9479\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-m1 section-gm38b9479 gutentor-module gutentor-element-button-group g-btn-horizontal-d g-btn-horizontal-t g-btn-horizontal-m mrgn-bttm-xl\"><div class=\"gutentor-element-button-group-wrap\">\n<div id=\"section-g33850d\" class=\"wp-block-gutentor-e2 section-g33850d gutentor-element gutentor-element-button\"><span class=\"gutentor-button-wrap\"><a class=\"gutentor-button gutentor-block-button btn-modern1 gutentor-icon-before\" href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Letter-to-the-Chair-of-the-Standing-Committee-on-Public-Safety-and-National-Security.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"gutentor-button-icon fas fa-file-alt\"><\/i><span>Download PDF<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chair<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>House of Commons<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear Mr. Chair:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following its second reading in the House of Commons, Bill C-12, the <em>Strengthening Canada\u2019s Immigration System and Borders Act<\/em>, has been referred to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (the \u201cCommittee\u201d) for further study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Chair of the <a>National Security and Intelligence Review Agency <\/a>(NSIRA), I am pleased to present the following submission on Bill C-12 and trust it will assist the Committee in its important work. On behalf of NSIRA, we welcome the opportunity to provide comment on this Bill, and I, along with Vice-Chair Craig Forcese, remain available to meet with the Committee and its members at your convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-expanded-powers-require-well-resourced-independent-review\">Expanded powers require well-resourced independent review<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2--it-is-vitally-important-that-expanded-national-security-and-intelligence-powers-are-matched-with-robust-well-resourced-independent-review-and-accountability-this-principle-is-fundamental-in-a-free-and-democratic-society-\"><strong>It is vitally important that expanded national security and intelligence powers are matched with robust, well-resourced independent review and accountability. This principle is fundamental in a free and democratic society.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Bill C-12 creates new, and expands existing, government powers related to national security and intelligence. The resulting operations and activities will have impacts on Canadians and, consequently, significant implications for NSIRA\u2019s work. NSIRA\u2019s aperture\u2014in terms of the activities we must scrutinize\u2014will expand at the very moment we face budget reductions under the government\u2019s expenditure review.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This correlation is the inverse of what it ought to be; expanded powers must be symmetrically matched by well-resourced independent review. My core concern is that without proper resources, NSIRA\u2019s ability to conduct effective, timely, and necessary reviews and investigations of public complaints will be at risk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-canadians-expect-accountability-transparency-and-effectiveness\">Canadians expect accountability, transparency, and effectiveness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4--canadians-need-to-trust-that-their-government-institutions-act-within-the-law-particularly-when-it-comes-to-national-security-and-intelligence-activities-which-are-largely-shielded-from-public-view-\"><strong>Canadians need to trust that their government institutions act within the law, particularly when it comes to national security and intelligence activities which are largely shielded from public view.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>NSIRA\u2019s ability to provide this critical assurance to Canadians will be compromised if the expansion of government activities contemplated in Bill C-12 is not accompanied by a commensurate increase in resources for the organization charged with scrutinizing those activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Created in 2019, NSIRA is an independent and external review body mandated to review and investigate Government of Canada national security and intelligence activities to assess whether they are lawful, reasonable and necessary. As such, NSIRA plays a key role in supporting the rule of law. Our mission is to serve as the trusted eyes and ears of Canadians, with a view toward ensuring accountability, transparency and effectiveness across the national security and intelligence community. This is what Canadians expect and what they deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-bill-c-12-expands-the-government%E2%80%99s-national-security-footprint\">Bill C-12 expands the government\u2019s national security footprint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6--bill-c-12-expands-the-government%E2%80%99s-reach-with-respect-to-certain-activities-related-to-national-security-and-intelligence-creating-more-work-for-nsira-\"><strong>Bill C-12 expands the government\u2019s reach with respect to certain activities related to national security and intelligence, creating more work for NSIRA.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Among other things, the Bill:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Expands the powers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), giving its officers the ability to access and examine export goods in locations\u2014such as warehouses and transportation hubs\u2014where they previously may not have been able to do so.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishes new national security-related activities for the Canadian Coast Guard, to include security patrols and the collection, analysis and disclosure of information or intelligence.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expands the discretion of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and its responsible minister, in certain matters related to immigration and asylum processing, including the cancellation, suspension, or modification of existing immigration documents when such action is determined to be in the public interest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creates new, and expands existing, legal authorities for the sharing of information by IRCC with federal, provincial and territorial partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amends regulations related to combatting terrorist financing, including with respect to compliance and enforcement.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-nsira-will-be-called-upon-to-do-more-as-a-result-of-c-12\">NSIRA will be called upon to do more as a result of C-12<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8--many-of-the-changes-brought-by-bill-c-12-involve-entities-and-activities-which-have-been-and-will-be-subject-to-nsira-review-equally-an-uptake-in-departmental-operational-activities-correlates-to-increases-in-the-number-of-public-complaints-received-and-corresponding-work-for-nsira-in-terms-of-providing-timely-access-to-justice-in-both-cases-nsira%E2%80%99s-existing-resources-will-be-strained-\"><strong>Many of the changes brought by Bill C-12 involve entities and activities which have been, and will be, subject to NSIRA review. Equally, an uptake in departmental operational activities correlates to increases in the number of public complaints received, and corresponding work for NSIRA in terms of providing timely access to justice. In both cases, NSIRA\u2019s existing resources will be strained.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2019, NSIRA has reviewed an array of CBSA activities, including its use of biometrics, its handling of human sources, and its programs for the advance screening of air travelers. This work has resulted in a series of findings and recommendations that hold the CBSA to account and ensure that its activities comply with the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, border security is at the top of mind. The CBSA\u2019s expanded powers in Bill C-12\u2014in addition to the declared priorities and associated financial commitments of the government more broadly\u2014underscore that its role, and footprint, is set to expand. The CBSA is set to do more. This means NSIRA must also do more. Canadians must have confidence that the CBSA\u2019s expanding powers are being exercised lawfully and reasonably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Parliament has also recently entrusted NSIRA with the responsibility of investigating complaints from members of the public against the national security related activities of the CBSA. This is expected to be a significant workload. Any expansion of the CBSA operational footprint, as proposed here, will proportionally increase NSIRA\u2019s responsibilities in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Bill C-12 expands CBSA\u2019s existing national security responsibilities, it also creates entirely new ones for the Canadian Coast Guard. Of particular relevance to NSIRA is the intelligence function\u2014the ability to collect, analyze and disclose information related to national security. Such activities are at the heart of what the intelligence community does, and therefore at the core of what NSIRA reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Canadian Coast Guard is a special operating agency within the Department of National Defence (DND). Over the past several years, NSIRA has reviewed various intelligence activities carried out by DND (along with the Canadian Armed Forces); as a large and complex organization, the scope and scale of these activities is significant. Bill C-12 adds another arm to this apparatus, one that will similarly extend NSIRA\u2019s responsibilities for review. How the Canadian Coast Guard interprets and operationalizes its new mandate will have impacts on Canadians. Drawing on its experience and expertise reviewing similar activities, NSIRA is uniquely positioned to assess those impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How a mandate is exercised\u2014particularly when significant discretion is afforded by enabling legislation\u2014is of perennial concern, given the implications for those affected and Canadian society at large. Bill C-12 extends the discretionary authority of IRCC and its responsible minister to make consequential decisions regarding Canada\u2019s immigration system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>National security is one, among many, considerations engaged in assessing immigration applications and asylum claims. NSIRA has reviewed elements of IRCC\u2019s enforcement of section 34 of the <em>Immigration and Refugee Protection Act<\/em>, which covers inadmissibility to Canada on security grounds. Similarly, future appeals to national security in the context of Canada\u2019s immigration system\u2014whether under provisions created by Bill C-12 or during other activities by IRCC and its partner agencies\u2014will benefit from NSIRA\u2019s expert, independent voice and its concomitant ability to assess the reasonableness and necessity of the government\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here as well, more departmental activity will proportionally increase NSIRA\u2019s workload with respect to public complaints. NSIRA receives complaints related to security screening in the immigration context. At the moment, immigration related complaints are at an all time high and NSIRA is busy diving into the systemic issues in the context of dozens of investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Relatedly, Bill C-12 extends IRCC\u2019s ability to share information, including personal information, with partners at other levels of government in Canada. NSIRA has experience and expertise in this area. For example, NSIRA is required to review, on an annual basis, the government\u2019s compliance with the <em>Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act<\/em> (SCIDA), and regularly assesses information sharing in the context of other national security and intelligence activities. As such, NSIRA understands the implications of information sharing and the broader legal architecture within which it occurs. NSIRA\u2019s 2023 SCIDA Report noted that approximately 96% of all disclosures that year\u2014252 out of 263\u2014were from IRCC. New information sharing provisions for IRCC will require assessment by NSIRA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For similar reasons, NSIRA takes note of Bill C-12\u2019s amendments to regulations against terrorist financing. While these amendments pertain primarily to the <em>Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act<\/em>, they simultaneously exist within the broader constellation of legislative, policy and enforcement mechanisms intended to combat illicit financial transactions. Here, too, NSIRA has done important work, for example our recently published review of how the Canada Revenue Agency conducted audits related to possible terrorist financing in the charitable sector. NSIRA also recently announced a review of the information sharing practices of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). Of note, many of the anti-terrorist financing amendments in Bill C-12 implicate\u2014indeed, expand the role of\u2014FINTRAC, again underscoring the task ahead for NSIRA\u2019s resources as we grapple with these and other changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the above, there is also the broader shift which sees organized crime as, increasingly, a core national security concern. The associated reorientation and expansion of government powers, of which Bill C-12 is an example, will require independent scrutiny in line with what Parliament saw as indispensable to our democracy when it created NSIRA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-under-resourced-independent-review-risks-core-canadian-values\">Under-resourced independent review risks core Canadian values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10--i-am-concerned-that-the-expansion-of-government-powers-in-bill-c-12%E2%80%94in-addition-to-parallel-commitments-to-increased-funding-for-security-intelligence-and-defence-activities%E2%80%94comes-at-the-very-moment-nsira-faces-potential-budget-reductions-this-poses-a-direct-risk-to-canada%E2%80%99s-system-of-accountability-\"><strong>I am concerned that the expansion of government powers in Bill C-12\u2014in addition to parallel commitments to increased funding for security, intelligence, and defence activities\u2014comes at the very moment NSIRA faces potential budget reductions. This poses a direct risk to Canada\u2019s system of accountability.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As a micro-organization, the practical realities of a reduced budget would be significant on NSIRA. It would not only severely limit our ability to scrutinize the new government activities proposed here but also jeopardize our capacity to sustain current outputs. Effective independent review should not be a discretionary expense. If treated as such, Canadians will receive less assurance at the very time government powers are expanding. We know that this is a concern for Canadians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We live in a moment of significant geopolitical change. Challenges abound. Canada must meet those challenges without sacrificing its core Canadian values. In a democracy, power must be accountable; operations must be balanced by review and oversight, especially when they are conducted in secrecy. History has taught us that a significant imbalance can lead to declining rigour, crises, and erosion of public confidence in institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We must build our national security on its proper foundation: the rule of law. This is, after all, what distinguishes us as a free and prosperous society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I thank you for taking the time to consider this submission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sincerely,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Honourable Marie Deschamps, C.C.&nbsp;<br>Chair, National Security and Intelligence Review Agency<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>cc&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Andrew Wilson, Clerk, Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\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},"categories":[],"tags":[188],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Letter to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security - 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