Spy watchdog flags ‘lack of rigour’ in CRA audits tied to terrorism

Report follows concerns that Muslim charities have been unfairly singled out for scrutiny by the federal revenue agency.

A national spy watchdog has found “a lack of rigour” in the way the Canada Revenue Agency selects charities for audits over terrorism concerns, saying the process introduces risks of bias and discrimination.

In a newly released report, the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency says the Review and Analysis Division of the CRA’s charities directorate lacks an evidence-based method of validating the risk indicators it uses to justify scrutiny of a charity.

The security and intelligence review agency recommends the CRA division ensure that the decision to launch an audit is supported by current and credible information or intelligence.

The Canadian Press obtai