Backgrounder: Collection of Security Intelligence Outside of Canada

June 2007

Why is it important to collect security intelligence outside of Canada?

In order to carry out its role of identifying and reporting on threats to Canada’s security, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) must pursue all intelligence leads, whether national or international in origin. Given that many current threats to Canada’s security originate outside of Canada’s borders, CSIS is increasing its information collection capacity at the international level.

Does CSIS have a legal mandate to collect information abroad?

Section 12 of the CSIS Act directs the Service to collect, analyse and retain information and intelligence on activities that may, on reason­able grounds, be suspected of constituting a threat to the security of Canada. It places no geographic restrictions on intelligence gathering.

The Security Intelligence Review Committee, the external body that reviews CSIS, has stated that the Service has a clear mandate to conduct Section 12 investigations outside Canada.

CSIS has conducted operations abroad since its inception; with the evolving nature of the threat, these operations are increasingly com­plex and sophisticated.

What are the main international security threats to Canada?

Terrorism, particularly that which is inspired by the ideology of Al Qaeda, is the primary interna­tional threat to Canadian security. Counter-terrorism is consequently the Service’s inves­tigative priority. Other investigative priorities include the proliferation of weapons of mass de­struction and the activities of hostile intelligence agencies in Canada, including economic espio­nage and interference in émigré and expatriate communities. These complex and challenging threats require the Service to be increasingly proactive and sophisticated in its intelligence-gathering efforts outside of Canada.

How does CSIS gather intelligence abroad?

Overt collection

The CSIS Act allows the Service to enter into an arrangement with a foreign intelligence or law enforcement agency, after obtaining approval from the Minister of Public Safety and consulting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Currently, the Service has about 270 cooperative relation­ships with more than 145 countries, giving it access to global information and intelligence on potential terrorist threats.

The Service has Foreign Officers posted overseas, including at Canadian missions in London, Paris and Washington.

Covert Collection

When necessary, the Service may engage in covert operational activities outside of Canada. These activities are varied in nature, but all are conducted in accordance with the CSIS Act, CSIS policy and Ministerial Direction, and with appropriate approvals in place.

The combination of overt and covert information collection allows the Service to produce the kind of strategic intelligence and advice that govern­ment decision-makers need to deal with today’s complex international security threats.

Contact

For comments/enquiries, please contact the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
c/o P.O. Box 9732, Postal Station T,
Ottawa, Ontario, KIG 4G4.
Telephone 613-231-0100
or fax 613-231-0612.