Canadian Security Intelligence Service
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The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) (French: Service Canadien du Renseignement de Sécurité) (SCRS) is Canada's national intelligence agency and the lead agency responsible for intelligence collection and operations within Canada and abroad. The agency investigates threats to Canada's national security interest both within Canada and overeas. CSIS collects, monitors and analyzes information that may affect national security. The agency was created in 1984 as a consequence of the MacDonald Commission. Formerly Canadian intelligence was under the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Security Service.
CSIS was created by the passage of an Act of Parliament (Bill C-9) on June 21, 1984. The Service began its formal existence on July 16, 1984.
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[edit] Mission
MANDATE
CSIS's official mission statement declares: "The people of CSIS are dedicated to the protection of Canada's national security interests and the safety of Canadians".
Statment of purpose from ther website: http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/en/index.asp
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) plays a leading role in protecting the national security interests of Canada by investigating and reporting on threats to the security of Canada. Guided by the rule of law and the protection of human rights, CSIS works within Canada’s integrated national security framework to provide advice to the Government of Canada on these threats.
CSIS is Canada's lead agency for national security matters. Other Canadian government departments, primarily as consumers of intelligence, also maintain an interest or stake in the wider intelligence community. CSIS is neither a police agency nor is it a part of the of the military. It is a Federal agency which conducts national security investigations and intelligence collection at home and abroad. There is often ambiguity regarding the term "intelligence agency." Canadian police, military agencies and numerous other government departments may maintain their own intelligence components (ie. to analyse criminal intelligence or military strategic intelligence). However, this is not to be confused with the work of larger, dedidcated "intelligence agencies" such as CSIS. Although agencies such as CSIS and the CIA (United States) or the British BSS or BSIS (known as MI5 and MI6) are known to the public, it is these type of organizations, both defensive and offensive agencies, that are generically referred to as "secret services." CSIS is Canada's secret service. The agency is Canada's only intelligence organization to have been specifically created and mandated by an Act of Parliament. Its dedicated legislated mandate is found in the CSIS Act.
CSIS collects and analyzes information and security intelligence from across the country and abroad, and reports to and advises the Government of Canada on national security issues and activities that may threaten the security of Canada. CSIS also conducts security investigations and assessments for all applicants seeking a security clearance with federal departments and agencies (includes applicants to the Department of National Defence), with the exception of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
THREATS TO CANADIAN NATIONAL SECURITY
According to its public website and the CSIS Act, activities that constitute a threat to the security of Canada include:
a) terrorism, that is, serious violence for the purpose of achieving a political, religious or ideological objective;
b) proliferation of weapons of mass destruction;
c) espionage;
d) transnational criminal activity;
e) foreign-influenced activities
DOMESTIC VS FOREIGN COLLECTION:
There is no restriction in the CSIS Act on where CSIS may collect information on threats to the security of Canada. The agency may collect information on security threats from anywhere in Canada or abroad, thereby protecting Canada from threats before they reach Canadian shores. While CSIS is often viewed as a defensive security intelligence agency it is not a domestic agency. CSIS officers work domestically and internationally in their efforts to monitor and counter threats to Canadian security.
By legislation, CSIS can collect foreign intelligence within Canada (see below). However, in the collection of “security intelligence” - threats to national security - the organization is not limited to operating domestically and can collect intelligence from anywhere in the world.
According to its website, the CSIS Act allows the agency to collect foreign information defined as: intelligence relating to the capabilities, intentions, or activities of any foreign state or group of foreign states, or anyone other than a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a Canadian corporation. “Foreign intelligence,” as defined in the Act, can be collected in Canada at the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, or the Minister of National Defence
CSIS operates both in Canada and abroad to collect intelligence in order to provide advice to the Government of Canada and thus protect Canada from internal and external threats. CSIS maintains offices across Canada and at select locations abroad.
INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS VS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
CSIS, like its UK (BSIS/MI6) and US (CIA) counterparts, is a civilian agency. As an intelligence agency, the primary role of CSIS is not law enforcement: Investigation of criminal activity is left to the RCMP and local (regional or city) police agencies. CSIS has considerable powers granted by legislative mandate and authorized by Federal Court warrants, many would argue such powers exceed that of police agencies. However, the role of CSIS is to investigate and advise government on national security threats. CSIS collects intelligence not evidence and like any intelligence agency, neither seeks to be involved in nor carries out arrests of criminals. This, again is left to local police agencies or the RCMP.
The agency operates domestically as well as internationally and thus operates under a uniquely different legal framework then local or federal police agencies. Intelligence agencies and police agencies are entirely different entities. At times, the agency may work closely with federal law enforcement agencies or other Canadian government departments, but as an intelligence agency, CSIS collects information for intelligence purposes and not for criminal prosecution. CSIS provides advice on national security matters to the Government of Canada. Some observers contend that the work of intelligence agencies may be considered generally more intrusive than law enforcement agencies. Recognizing this distinct difference, Canada separates intelligence and law enforcement functions.
CSIS is strictly concerned with intelligence operations; collecting information and security intelligence for the purpose of advising the government, the role of the RCMP and or other local law enforcement agencies is to investigate criminal activity and to collect evidence that can be used in criminal prosecutions.
Given intelligence activities differ from law enforcement matters, CSIS is subject to stringent review by the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) and an Inspector General (IG) as well as other legislative checks and balances. The agency carries out its functions in accordance with the CSIS Act which governs and defines its powers and activities.
ACCOUNTABILITY
CSIS’ activities are subject to ongoing review by the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), both of which are “arms-length” agencies whose main purpose is to ensure compliance with the CSIS Act, CSIS policies and government direction.
CSIS does not investigate “lawful advocacy, protest or dissent,” unless it is carried out in conjunction with one of the threat-related activities defined in the Act.
METHODS AND APPROVALS
One of the acknowledged methods of investigation used by CSIS, and by intelligence agencies worldwide, is the recruitment of human sources. Intelligence collected by CSIS stems from analysis and a wide variety of investigative techniques, including the use of covert and intrusive methods, such as electronic surveillance and the recruitment and tasking of human sources. If a CSIS investigation was to involve the use of intrusive techniques, such as telephone intercepts or covert searches, the agency would be required, pursuant to section 21 of the CSIS Act, to obtain a warrant approved by a Federal Court judge. All intrusive methods of investigation used by CSIS are subject to several levels of approval before they are deployed. The most intrusive methods—such as electronic surveillance, mail opening, and covert searches—require a warrant issued by a judge of the Federal Court of Canada.
WORK FORCE/RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING:
Not much is widely known about the CSIS work force and training. However, at times, major Canadian newspapers have carried ads for employment at CSIS. CSIS has had recruiters at booths at job fairs. Not everyone who works at CSIS would be a "CSIS Agent" or intelligence officer or involved in covert operations/intelligence collection. Many would have a public role as in any government department. The agency would also hire engineers, guards, clerks, administrators, support staff, analysts and investigators who work in a more public role. However, the stream most associated with intelligence or spy agencies is often referred to as an "intelligence officer" "CSIS Agent" or a "case officer." It is this professional category that most people associate with a secret service.
For this type of category, CSIS ads say they at minimum require a university degree, a willingness to undergo a lengthy interview process as well as a lengthy screening and training process; ability to speak both English and French as well as a willingness to relocate as per the needs of the organization. Public reports indicate the agency at its height employed about 3500 people and presently is believed to employ about 2300. However, presumably only a smaller few work as intelligence collectors or "case officers" which are traditionally associated with spy agencies.
The very first training facility used by CSIS was referred to as the Sir William Stephenson Academy and was said to be located on a military base in the Canadian province of Ontario. The training Academy was named after Sir William Stephenson, a Canadian also famously referred to as "A Man Called Intrepid" who was widely hailed as a World War II hero. Stephenson was involved with British intelligence operations and one of the instrumental figures in the formation and founding of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) which would eventually become known as the CIA. SOE operatives, including Canadians, then trained at the secretive CAMP X facility near Whitby, Ontario on the shores of Lake Ontario.
PUBLICATIONS AND REFERENCE:
The Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) publishes an annual review of CSIS activities and operations. CSIS has a public website and also produces a Public Report as well as numerous unclassified backgrounders and intelligence commentaries. There have been numerous books written about CSIS and its predecessor the RCMP Security Service such as: Men in the Shadows; For Services Rendered; Covert Entry; Official Secrets; Spy World; Target Nation; Soft Target; Canada's Secret Service.
[edit] History
CSIS was founded in 1984 by an act of the Parliament of Canada, following a recommendation of the McDonald Commission. That Commission advised removing responsibility for intelligence from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, specifically the RCMP Security Service. Prior to the establishment of CSIS, the RCMP, which is Canada's federal police service, was responsible for intelligence and counterintelligence activities.
The agency officially commenced operations on 16 July 1984, with Thomas D'Arcy "Ted" Finn appointed as its first Director.
[edit] Headquarters
CSIS National Headquarters is located at 1941 Ogilvie Road, in Ottawa, Ontario. There are several branch offices throughout Canada.
After its 1984 evolution from the RCMP Security Services branch, CSIS found itself needing a new headquarters and commissioned the Osbaldeston Report in 1987 to examine the issue. The report recommended "An immediate solution to the CSIS accommodation problem must be found, bringing all headquarters functions together in a building that can be adapted to meet the needs of CSIS, both human and technological"
September 1988 saw Cabinet approve the recommendations for a new structure, rather than trying to salvage the operations of the eight existing structures, and the following April saw the Treasury Board designate the funds necessary for its construction.
The first phase of construction was completed in 1991, and the second phase in February 1995. CSIS formally relocated to the new headquarters in November 1995. [1]
[edit] Directors
Previous directors of CSIS are:
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1988 | Thomas D'Arcy "Ted" Finn |
| 1988 | 1992 | Reid Morden |
| 1992 | 1994 | Ray Protti |
| 1994 | 31 May 2004 | Ward P.D. Elcock |
| 31 May | 29 November 2004 | Dale Neufeld |
| 29 November 2004 | Present | Jim Judd |
[edit] Programs
The Operational Programs of CSIS include:
- Counter-terrorism
- Counter-proliferation
- Counter-intelligence
- Security-screening
- Research, Analysis and Production (creating strategy for the implementation of the Operational Programs)
- Environmental scanning
- see also: ECHELON
- Facing Technological Challenges
CSIS works closely with the intelligence agencies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Under the post-WWII Quadpartite Pact all intelligence information is shared between the intelligence agencies of these four countries. While largely relying on information gathered by other countries, CSIS performs its own analysis.
Permission to put a subject under surveillance is granted by the Target Approval and Review Committee.
Security Liaison Officers (SLOs) of CSIS are posted at Canadian embassies and consulates to gather security-related intelligence from other nations. This information may be gathered from other national intelligence agencies, law enforcement services and other sources. SLOs also assess potential immigrants to Canada for security issues.
[edit] Oversight
The activities of CSIS are regularly reviewed on behalf of Parliament by the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC). It is also under the portfolio of the federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (Canada).
[edit] Controversies
CSIS has occasionally come under criticism, such as in the apparent bungling of the investigation into the 1985 Air India bombing. [2]
From 1988 to 1994, CSIS mole Grant Bristow infiltrated the Canadian white-supremacist movement; when the story became public knowledge, the press aired concerns that he had not only been one of the founders of the Heritage Front group, but that he had also channeled CSIS funding to this group.
In 1999, classified documents were stolen from the car of a CSIS employee who was attending a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game. The Security Intelligence Review Committee reportedly investigated this incident. [3] [4]
[edit] See also
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
- Intelligence Branch (Canadian Forces)
- Central Intelligence Agency - US
- CSE - Communications Security Establishment - Canada's Signals intelligence agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (United States)
- GCHQ
- MI5
- MI6
- RCMP Security Service
- Security certificate
- Special Branch
- INSET
- Research and Analysis Wing
- Grant Bristow, a CSIS mole who infiltrated the Canadian Neo-Nazi Heritage Front
[edit] Trivia
Underfunded, a made for television show, depicts the exploits of an agent from the Canadian Secret Service.
[edit] Notes
- ^ http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/reports.nsf/html/9608ce.html
- ^ See Wikipedia:Air India Flight 182#Destroyed evidence
- ^ Edited Hansard (Debates of the House of Commons of Canada), 36th Parliament, 2nd Session, Number 20, 15 November 1999, 1425 [1]
- ^ Edited Hansard (Debates of the House of Commons of Canada), 36th Parliament, 2nd Session, Number 22, 17 November 1999, 1455 [2]
[edit] External links
- Official website of CSIS
- CSIS news archive at The Canadian Intelligence Resource Centre (CIRC)
- 38th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION contains a review about CSIS's and RCMP's role under the Anti-Terrorism Act
| Directors | Agents | Informants | Related agencies |
|
‡ denotes an active agent, or one who is known to have been active in the past five years |
| Image:Flag of Canada.svg | Canadian Intelligence Agencies | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Border Services Agency | Canadian Security Intelligence Service | Communications Security Establishment | |||
lt:CSIS ja:カナダ安全情報局 no:Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité sv:Canadian Security Intelligence Service
