Annex A – Terms of Reference
Special report into the allegations associated with Prime Minister Trudeau’s official visit to India in February 2018

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Review:

Allegations of foreign interference related to the Prime Minister’s visit to India in February 2018.

Overview:

The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) will review the allegations of foreign interference ***; whether intelligence was used for political purposes or disclosed inappropriately; and the adequacy of measures to screen participants and guests on major foreign visits. Following the review, the Committee will submit a report to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, in accordance with section 21(2) of the NSICOP Act.

Preliminary document provision:

The NSICOP Secretariat seeks the following preliminary documentation in writing as it relates to the Prime Minister’s visit to India in February 2018 (unless otherwise noted) :

  • From CSIS:
    • any information and intelligence in the Service’s holdings with respect to possible foreign interference ***
    • any information or briefings provided to other government departments or officials, including political officials, about such interference;
    • any information about measures taken by the Service, alone or in cooperation with another government department, to disrupt or affect such interference;
    • any information on the Service’s ***;
    • any information about security issues raised by the Indian government with respect to Sikh extremism in Canada or as it relates to Canada-India bilateral relations.
  • From RCMP:
    • a description of the RCMP’s responsibilities for the protection of the Prime Minister abroad and any other official(s) part of the PM’s delegation;
    • the RCMP’s assessment of the threat to the Prime Minister during his visit to India;
    • any information on measures taken to protect the Prime Minister and his delegation before and during his trip to India, including any measures to screen or vet Canadian members of the official delegation or anyone from Canada expected to attend any part of the Prime Minister’s itinerary;
    • information on the RCMP’s cooperation and dealings with Indian authorities related to the security of the Prime Minister;
    • any information on concerns raised to other government departments or officials, including political officials, with respect to security before or during the trip.
  • From Global Affairs Canada: any information, and advice provided to other government departments or officials, including political officials, on:
    • the Prime Minister’s trip to India as it may relate to elements of the ***;
    • security issues raised by the Indian government with respect to Sikh extremism in Canada or as it relates to Canada–India bilateral relations;
    • the participation of anyone in the Prime Minister’s itinerary;
    • security measures in place at the High Commission or during the visit;
    • how guest lists for official events are developed for trips by Members of Parliament, Senators, Ministers, the Prime Minister or the Governor General.
  • From PCO:
    • any information or advice provided to Government officials, including political officials, or to the media with respect to Jaspal Atwal ***;
    • information regarding Canada’s relationship with the Indian National Security Advisor generally, and with respect to this incident.

Note: Information or intelligence includes any written material, including electronic or other correspondence, notes of oral briefings, and any legal opinions or advice sought or received.

Hearings:

Following provision of preliminary documentation, the Secretariat may engage appropriate officials at the relevant departments and agencies prior to holding Committee hearings, the content of which will be determined by the results of the preliminary review.

Secondary document provision:

Additional documentation and hearings will be sought or scheduled as required.

Timeline:

Consistent with section 15(3) of the NSICOP Act, the requested information should be provided in a timely manner. The Secretariat therefore requests that the information be provided by 1700 20 April 2018. Committee hearings will be scheduled thereafter.

Report:

The Committee will create a special report on its findings and recommendations, pursuant to section 21 (2) of the NSICOP Act.

Contact:

Rennie Marcoux, Executive Director ***

Sean Jorgensen, Director of Operations ***

Secretariat of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians

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