The Secretariat’s mandate, vision and resources

Mandate

We assist the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians in fulfilling its mandate, which is to review:

• The legislative, regulatory, policy, administrative and financial framework for national security and intelligence;
• Any activity carried out by a department that relates to national security or intelligence, unless the activity is an ongoing operation and the appropriate Minister determines that the review would be injurious to national security; and
• Any matter relating to national security or intelligence that a minister of the Crown refers to the Committee.

Our priority is to ensure the Committee receives timely access to relevant, classified information and strategic and expert advice in the exercise of reviews.  We also assist in the development of Committee reports and provide support to ensure compliance with security requirements.

Vision

In support of the Committee’s independence, we strive to provide expert analysis and strategic advice to the Committee, establish productive working relationships with the security and intelligence community, and engage the community in a timely and effective manner to receive and share information in the conduct of reviews.

Secretariat Resources and Staff

We have an annual budget of approximately $4 million and funding for a staff complement of 10 full time employees. Our employees have experience working across the various departments and agencies of the security and intelligence community.