Annex C – The Review Process
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians 2021 Annual Report

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Type of Review

Framework

A review of the legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative and financial framework for national security or intelligence.

Activity

A review of any activity carried out by a department that relates to national security or intelligence.

Review Criteria

For the Committee to consider a review, it must involve one core member of the security and intelligence community and:

  • For national security issues, relate to threats to the security of Canada as defined in the CSIS Act or criminality of national scope and gravity,
  • For intelligence issues, involve the use of clandestine, covert, or privileged sources or methods.

Review Considerations

Organization

  • whether the organization was previously subject to review;
  • the extent of its security or intelligence activities, and the degree to which they are known; and,
  • whether the activities are governed by specific legislation or formal government direction.

General

  • the extent to which an activity or issue implicates the rights of Canadians;
  • the extent to which an activity or issue affects Canadian alliances or foreign relations;
  • whether there is a high level of public interest in the activity or issue;
  • whether the activity or issue affects Canada’s sovereignty or the integrity of its institutions, economy or society; and
  • whether Parliament or another review body has previously examined the activity or issue.

Review Process

Stage 1
Proposals for review

  1. Step 1

    Consider range of topics for review

  2. Step 2

    Select topics and identify implicated organizations

  3. Step 3

    Notify Ministers and provide Terms of Reference

Stage 2
Conduct review

  1. Step 4

    Receive and analyze information and follow-up with organizations

  2. Step 5

    Consider interim report and determine direction

  3. Step 6

    Conduct hearings with officials and subject matter experts

  4. Step 7

    Develop draft report

Stage 3
Final report

  1. Step 8

    Provide report to implicated organizations for fact checking and comment

  2. Step 9

    Consider organizational input and finalize report

  3. Step 10

    Provide classified report to Prime Minister (PM) and implicated organizations

Stage 4
Tabling and publication

  1. Step 11

    PM and Committee Chair discuss the report

  2. Step 12

    On the advice of officials, the PM may direct the removal of injurious information

  3. Step 13

    Committee revises the report

  4. Step 14

    Report is tabled in Parliament, referred to House and Senate standing Committees

Abbreviations

Cabinet
Cabinet of Canada
CAF
Canadian Armed Forces
CBSA
Canada Border Services Agency
CSE
Communications Security Establishment
CSIS
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
DND
Department of National Defence
GAC
Global Affairs Canada
GoC
Government of Canada
HoC
House of Commons
MND
Minister of National Defence
MPA
Minister of Public Safety
NSIA
National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister
NSIRA
National Security and Intelligence Review Agency
PCO
Privy Council Office
PMO
Office of the Prime Minister
PS
Public Safety Canada
RCMP
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
S&I community
Security and intelligence community
Sen
Senate
SSC
Shared Services Canada
TBS
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
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