Title: CSIS Report Reveals Gaps in Management of Secret Technology

OTTAWA — A recent report from a spy watchdog indicates that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) failed to establish proper policies and procedures for managing a secret information collection technology. The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) found that CSIS misrepresented this new technical capability as merely an extension of its existing tools.

As a result, CSIS did not consult with Public Safety Canada in a timely manner regarding its intended use of the technology, which goes against a ministerial directive aimed at ensuring accountability. The report also suggests that CSIS may have violated the CSIS Act, which mandates that the director consult with the deputy minister under certain circumstances.

Additionally, the review agency discovered that CSIS retained collected information without adequately clarifying the legal authority for doing so. The findings were made public after a heavily redacted version of the report was obtained through the Access to Information Act.

This report raises significant concerns about the oversight and governance of intelligence operations in Canada, particularly regarding the use of advanced surveillance technologies. The implications of these findings could lead to further scrutiny of CSIS practices and policies in the future.