Canadian intelligence and security service

CSIR was established on June 21, 1984 according to an act of parliament adopted after the report of the MacDonald Commission . The main conclusion of the MacDonald Commission was the need to separate intelligence from police patrols and approve the orders of the new agency, the Canadian Intelligence and Security Service, both in court and under the overall control of the new body, the Intelligence and Security Analysis Unit , and the office of the chief inspector. Her actual existence began on July 16 under the leadership of Thomas D'Arcy Finn . Prior to this, Canadian intelligence was the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Security Service .

During the Cold War, KISS was engaged in tracking foreign spies in Canada, mainly with the help of “technological devices” to uncover espionage activities. She later participated in counterintelligence operations against alleged Chinese intelligence in Canada.

CSIR is Canada's premier national security agency. This is a federal agency conducting investigations in the field of national security and collecting secret information in the country and abroad. CSIR collects and analyzes information and makes recommendations to the Government of Canada regarding problems and processes that could threaten Canada’s security. CSIR also conducts a safety study and assessment of all individuals wishing to gain access to state secrets at federal ministries and agencies, with the exception of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police , which performs this assessment on its own.

Under the KISS Act, it has no restrictions on the sources of the collection of “classified information” or information on threats to Canada’s security. The agency may collect information about threats to Canada or Canadians throughout the world. Despite the fact that KSIR is often called a protective intelligence intelligence service , it is not a purely internal agency. CSIR employees work both in Canada and around the world to detect and repel threats to Canadian security.

There is a difference between the concepts of “intelligence and security” and “foreign intelligence”. Intelligence and security are associated with threats to national security (e.g. terrorism, espionage). Foreign intelligence includes the collection of information related to the political or economic activities of foreign states. According to paragraph 16 of the CRIS Act, the agency collects this type of “foreign classified information” only within Canada.

KSRB is neither a police agency, nor part of the armed forces. The primary role of this intelligence service is not law enforcement. The investigation of criminal activity is the responsibility of the KKKP and local (provincial, district or city) police authorities. Like similar services in other countries - the UK Security Service ( MI5 ) and the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), - KSRB is a civilian agency. KISS reports to the Intelligence and Security Analysis Group (GARB), the chief inspector, and other legislative oversight bodies. The Agency performs its functions in accordance with the Law on the KSSR, which defines its powers and activities.

The Canadian police, military agencies (see Canadian Forces Intelligence Service ), and many other government departments also have their own “intelligence” components (for example, to analyze criminal or military strategic information). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has a Bureau of Police Intelligence and Security for the study and analysis of information obtained from public sources. The Bureau plays a coordinating and strategic role. Not being an intelligence service, it is responsible for the safety of personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs around the world. These agencies cannot be placed on a par with the larger, more comprehensive, and specialized “intelligence services,” such as KSIR, MI5, MI6, or the CIA.

KSDR operational programs include:

• Anti-terrorism
• Non-proliferation
• Counterintelligence
• security check
• Research, analysis and production (creating a strategy for the implementation of operational programs)
• Environmental study

• Current technology challenges

KSRB works closely with intelligence services in the United States , Britain and Australia . Under the post - war Four - Party Treaty, all intelligence information is made publicly available to the intelligence services of these four countries.

Permission to place an object under surveillance is issued by the Group for analysis and approval of objects .

KISS Counterintelligence Liaison Officers (USCs) are assigned to Canadian embassies and consulates to collect security sensitive information in other countries. This information may be collected from other national intelligence, law enforcement, and other sources. USCs are also assessed for the safety of potential immigrants to Canada.

According to Macklins magazine, Mediacorp Canada recognized KISS as one of Canada’s “ 100 Best Employers ” in 2009–2011.

The operations of the CSIS are regularly reviewed by the Intelligence and Security Analysis Group (GARB) on behalf of Parliament. It is also the responsibility of the federal Ministry of Public Security , and the chief inspector of the KSSR prepares for the minister an annual secret report on the operational activities of the KSSR. GARB and the chief inspector of the KSSR have access to all information of the KSSS, both secret and open, with the exception of secret information from the cabinet.

At times, KSIR was criticized, including for its role in investigating the bombing aboard Air India in 1985. A commission was formed to investigate the bombing of Air India flight 182, led by Judge John Major. Two Canadian courts have publicly criticized KSIR for destroying evidence - intercepted messages. One court, in view of the importance of communications intercepted by the KSSR, found guilty in these actions. The second emphasized the circumstances justifying it.

From 1988 to 1994 KSRB’s mole Grant Bristow entered the Canadian movement for white supremacy. When this story became public, the press was concerned that he was not only one of the founders of the Heritage Front group, but also served as a channel for financing this group from the KISB.

In 1999, secret information was stolen from an XRB employee’s car while he was watching a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey match. The intelligence and security analysis team reported an investigation into the incident.

On September 18, 2006, the Arara Commission released KSIR from all allegations of involvement in the extradition of the US Canadian citizen Maher Arar . The commission found that the US authorities sent Arara to Jordan and then to Syria (his country of birth) based on incorrect information provided to the US government by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (CCAC). Arar was held by the Syrians for one year and was tortured. The Commission’s only claim to the KISS was that the agency did not critically examine the information provided by the regimes practicing torture.

On March 31, 2009, the KISS lawyer and adviser, Jeffrey O'Brien, told the Committee on Public and National Security that the KISS should be able to use information obtained through torture if it could prevent events like September 11 or the disruption of an Air flight India Speaking to the same committee two days later, JRC Judd Director of the KISS stated that O'Brien “could be confused” and “risked to suppose”, therefore he would be forced to send a letter clarifying his words to the committee. Two weeks later, the KISS announced that Judd would resign in June, that is, five months before the end of her five-year term.

• Communications Security Center
• Intelligence Service (Canadian Forces)
• Canada Financial Analysis and Reporting Center
• Canadian Computer Security Center
• Canadian Air Transport Authority

• CACS official website
• CSRC News Archive at the Canadian Intelligence Resource Center (CRRC)
• 38th convocation of the House of Commons, 1st session review of the role of CEAC and ACAC in the Counter-Terrorism Act