Minister’s role

Overall direction to CSIS: Issue directions to the Director (e.g. intelligence priorities, operations, accountability).

Authorization

Warrants:

· Approve applications to the Federal Court for warrants for more intrusive collection techniques and for certain threat reduction measures.

Justification framework:

· Determine the classes of acts or omissions.
· Designate CSIS employees and senior employees under the framework.

Datasets framework:

· Determine the classes of Canadian datasets CSIS may collect.
· Approve applications to the Federal Court for the retention of Canadian datasets.

Domestic and foreign arrangements:

· Approve arrangements with federal departments, provincial governments, and police forces as well as foreign partners.

Foreign intelligence:

· Authorize CSIS to collect foreign intelligence, further to a request from the Minister of Foreign Affairs or National Defence.

Publish an annual report on the justification framework.
Table the CSIS Annual Public Report in Parliament.
May refer a national security matter to a review body.
Provide the Attorney General with a report from the Director on possible unlawful activities.

Provided with a classified annual report of CSIS’ operational activities.
Notified prior to CSIS undertaking high risk operations or operational activities where a novel authority, technique, or technology is used.

2020-11-24