Watchdog finds problems with spy service’s use of legal authority to commit offences
A national spy watchdog in Ottawa has raised concerns that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) may not have followed the law when using special powers to gather information. The CSIS Act permits designated spy service employees to perform certain unlawful actions when collecting information, with the goal of ensuring the operations of the agency do not inadvertently break the law.
A report from the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency analyzed CSIS's use of this authority during operations in 2022 and 2023. The review uncovered that some CSIS personnel might have engaged in unlawful activities without the necessary designation and that directions were given to carry out certain acts without the required legal authorization.
The watchdog emphasized that CSIS has a responsibility to ensure all its operations comply with the law, particularly when they involve actions that would otherwise be deemed illegal. This report was originally published by The Canadian Press on September 29, 2026.
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