Halting spy operation placed CSIS team in unnecessary danger, watchdog report says
A recent report from a new spy watchdog has shed light on a concerning incident involving an overseas Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) operation that was abruptly halted by government officials. This sudden decision not only jeopardized the safety of the CSIS team involved but also raised significant questions about ministerial accountability.
The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency conducted an investigation and found that there were no written records indicating that the CSIS director or the minister of public safety had made the decision to suspend the operation. What made this case particularly unusual was that it involved senior political-level figures from various government departments, unlike typical operational matters.
Although the details of the overseas CSIS operation and the identities of the individuals involved are heavily redacted in the report, it is clear that the decision to halt the operation midway caused harm to Canada’s reputation, needlessly put spies in danger, and highlighted serious concerns about CSIS’s accountability mechanisms.
In response to this incident, Marco Mendicino, who was the public safety minister at the time, requested the review agency to assess whether CSIS and the Public Safety Department were effectively supporting ministerial responsibility. The review ultimately revealed that the sensitive operation was eventually allowed to proceed after a delay, but senior CSIS officials struggled with the temporary suspension.
One notable instance mentioned in the report was when the CSIS director urgently emailed senior officials within key security and intelligence portfolios, expressing the urgency of the situation and the need for a decision to be made promptly. There was also confusion surrounding who had the authority to resume the operation.
The review agency concluded that both CSIS and the Public Safety Department failed to provide timely and accurate information to the public safety minister regarding the operation. It emphasized the need for a stronger system of ministerial accountability for CSIS, recommending that any decision impacting an active CSIS operation should be explicitly directed by the public safety minister and accompanied by a written record.
Furthermore, the report urged the public safety minister to ensure that the deputy minister obtains all necessary information to fulfill their responsibility of providing independent advice to the minister about CSIS activities and operations. By implementing these recommendations, the report believes that the government can prevent future confusion and risk in similar situations, ultimately strengthening the accountability framework for CSIS operations.
