The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA), responsible for overseeing Canada’s intelligence and security operations, is facing challenges in its scrutiny efforts due to budget cuts imposed by the government. This setback comes as the Liberals are contemplating augmenting the resources of defense and national security entities.
Established in 2019 as an independent body, NSIRA monitors activities conducted by federal agencies such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards. However, the agency disclosed during a recent media briefing that it is mandated to undergo a 15% budget reduction over the next three years, leading to potential limitations in the number of reviews it can undertake.
NSIRA’s Vice-Chair, Craig Forcese, acknowledged the impending need for difficult decisions due to the budget constraints. The funding cuts coincide with the government’s plans to empower intelligence agencies through Bill C-2 and bolster its defense capabilities, including cyber operations. Despite NSIRA’s past criticism of various government agencies for their practices, Forcese hinted that areas beyond the review scope might receive less scrutiny moving forward.
Historically, NSIRA has conducted reviews on a range of departments involved in intelligence and security work, emphasizing the need for adequate resources for previously unreviewed entities. Forcese indicated that future resource allocation would consider the necessity versus desirability of reviews. While NSIRA aims to minimize job losses, some staff reductions are anticipated. The agency comprises experts in diverse fields such as national security, policy, technology, law, civil liberties, and human rights.
Efforts to secure additional funding from Prime Minister Mark Carney have been made by Forcese, with no response received yet. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree assured that essential public safety agencies like the RCMP and border agency would be safeguarded from cuts, although NSIRA would be impacted. Anandasangaree expressed willingness to collaborate with NSIRA to mitigate the impact of expenditure reductions on its future operations.