Intel Watchdog Ends CSIS Review Over Staff Legal Protection Issues

A key intelligence watchdog, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA), has called for urgent legislative reforms after canceling a review of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) due to inadequate legal protections for its staff. The decision followed findings of concern regarding CSIS’s internal processes and ongoing civil lawsuits related to the issues under review. NSIRA’s governing legislation lacks provisions to protect its reviewers from being compelled to testify in civil litigation, which could hinder future intelligence reviews. Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree’s office has not yet commented on the matter.

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