OTTAWA – A newly released spy watchdog report says the Canadian Security Intelligence Service lacked adequate policies and procedures to manage a secret technology for collecting information.
The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency says CSIS mischaracterized a novel technical capability as an extension of existing know-how.
The report says this led to CSIS not consulting Public Safety Canada in a timely manner concerning its planned use of the technology, contrary to a ministerial direction on accountability.
Moreover, the watchdog says the spy service may have run afoul of the CSIS Act, which can require the director to consult with the deputy minister.
The review agency also found CSIS kept collected information without clearly spelling out the authority for retaining it.
The Canadian Press obtained a heavily redacted version of the review agency report through the Access to Information Act.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2025.
