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{{Short description|Intelligence agency}}
{{Distinguish|text = the [[Communications Security Establishment]] (CSE), formerly also known as CSEC}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name     = Canadian Security Intelligence Service
| logo            = Canadian Security Intelligence Service logo.svg
| logo_size       = 
| image           = {{CSS image crop
 |oTop = 120
 |oLeft = 170
 |Location = center
}}
| image_caption   = 
| formed          = {{Start date and age|1984|6|21}}
| preceding1      = [[RCMP Security Service]]
| jurisdiction    = [[Government of Canada]]
| headquarters    = [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| coordinates     = {{Coord|45.4374|N|75.6139|W|type:landmark_scale:4000_region:CA-ON|display=it}}
| motto           = ''A safe, secure and prosperous Canada, through trusted intelligence and advice.''
| employees       = 3,200+ (2020)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/transparency/briefing-material/transition-materials/people-of-csis.html | title=People of CSIS | date=16 November 2020 }}</ref>
| budget          = $702.6 million (2024{{ndash}}25)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/trnsprnc/brfng-mtrls/prlmntry-bndrs/20240719/30-en.aspx|title=Parliamentary Committee Notes: 2024-2025 Main Estimates Canadian Security Intelligence Service|date=August 7, 2024 }}</ref>
| minister1_name  = [[David McGuinty]]
| minister1_pfo   = [[Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness|Minister of Public Safety]]
| minister2_name  = 
| minister2_pfo   = 
| chief1_name     = Daniel Rogers
| chief1_position = Director 
| chief2_name     = 
| chief2_position = 
| website         = {{URL|https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service.html}}
| parent_department = [[Public Safety Canada]]
}}

The '''Canadian Security Intelligence Service''' ('''CSIS''', {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|s|ɪ|s}}; {{langx|fr|Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité}}, ''SCRS'') is a [[Intelligence agency|foreign intelligence service]] and [[security agency]] of the [[Government of Canada|federal government of Canada]]. It is responsible for gathering, processing, and analyzing [[national security]] information from around the world and conducting [[Covert operation|covert action]] within Canada and abroad.<ref name="CSISWEB">{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/bts/rlfcss-eng.asp |title=Role of CSIS |publisher=Csis-scrs.gc.ca |date=2009-04-09 |access-date=2010-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226011438/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/bts/rlfcss-eng.asp |archive-date=2010-12-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> CSIS reports to the [[Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness]], and is subject to review by the [[National Security and Intelligence Review Agency]].<ref name="about">{{cite news |last1=Boutilier |first1=Alex |title=Canada's spies are working under outdated laws, CSIS director says |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2021/02/09/canadas-spies-are-working-under-outdated-laws-csis-director-says.html |publisher=Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd |date=9 February 2021}}</ref>

The CSIS has no law enforcement function and mainly focuses on intelligence gathering overseas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bronskill |first=Jim |date=14 March 2021 |title=CSIS, RCMP modelling new security collaboration efforts on British lessons |work=CBS |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-rcmp-collaboration-effort-1.5949531 |access-date=15 February 2023}}</ref> The agency is led by a director, the current being Daniel Rogers, who assumed the role on October 15, 2024.<ref name="Public Safety Canada">{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/news/2024/07/minister-leblanc-announces-appointment-of-interim-director-of-the-canadian-security-intelligence-service.html|title=Minister LeBlanc announces appointment of Interim Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service|date=July 19, 2024|publisher=Public Safety Canada|access-date=August 17, 2024}}</ref>

==History==
Prior to 1984, security intelligence in Canada was the purview of the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] (RCMP). However, during the 1970s, there were allegations that the [[RCMP Security Service]] – the predecessor to CSIS – had been involved in numerous illegal activities. As a result of these allegations, Justice David McDonald was appointed in 1977 to investigate the activities of the RCMP Security Service. The resulting investigation, known as the [[Royal Commission of Inquiry into Certain Activities of the RCMP|McDonald Commission]], published its final report in 1981, with its main recommendation being that security intelligence work should be separated from policing, and that a civilian intelligence agency be created to take over from the RCMP Security Service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ps-sp.gc.ca/prg/ns/airs/rep1-4-eng.aspx |title=4. The RCMP and CSIS: Background |access-date=2008-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629115242/http://www.ps-sp.gc.ca/prg/ns/airs/rep1-4-eng.aspx |archive-date=2008-06-29 }}</ref>

On June 21, 1984, CSIS was created by an [[Parliament of Canada|Act of Parliament]]. At the time, it was also decided that the activities of this new agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, should be subject to both judicial approval for warrants and to general review by a new body, the [[Security Intelligence Review Committee]], as well as the office of the Inspector General (which was disbanded in 2012). Its ''[[de facto]]'' existence began on July 16 under the direction of [[Ted Finn|Thomas D'Arcy Finn]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/en/about_us/history_artifacts/history/brf_csis_index.asp |title=The Creation of Canada's Civilian Security Intelligence Service |access-date=2007-05-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624182416/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/en/about_us/history_artifacts/history/brf_csis_index.asp |archive-date=2007-06-24 }}</ref> In its early years, its primary focus was on investigating terrorist groups in response to a number of violent crimes with political undertones, such as the bombing of an Air India jet departing from Montréal and the armed takeover of the Turkish embassy in Ottawa.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sallot |first=Jeffery |date=16 December 2013 |title=Canadian Security Intelligence Service |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-security-intelligence-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121215100/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canadian-security-intelligence-service |archive-date=21 January 2025 |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia}}</ref>

At first, the main emphasis of CSIS was combating the activities of various foreign intelligence agencies operating in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/hstrrtfcts/rtfcts/index-eng.asp |title=Artifacts Collection &#124; CSIS |access-date=2012-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601021026/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/hstrrtfcts/rtfcts/index-eng.asp |archive-date=2012-06-01 }}</ref> For example, it has been engaged in investigating economic espionage involving Chinese operations throughout Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=ca90416e-fe77-4b8d-ae59-a4e9f55b6441&k=26688 |title=Government vows to curb Chinese spying on Canada |publisher=Canada.com |date=2006-04-16 |access-date=2011-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004005118/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=ca90416e-fe77-4b8d-ae59-a4e9f55b6441&k=26688 |archive-date=2014-10-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While the threat posed by foreign intelligence agencies still remains, CSIS over the years since [[9/11]] has focused more and more on the threat to Canadian security and its citizens posed by terrorist activity, and this has led to the memorable cases of [[Maher Arar]] and [[Omar Khadr]].

The institutional focus of CSIS returned to state actors (such as Russia and China) after a February 2021 speech by the CSIS director, David Vigneault, who warned that the Chinese "strategy for geopolitical advantage on all fronts — economic, technological, political and military" uses "all elements of state power to carry out activities that are a direct threat to our national security and sovereignty."<ref name="jrnp">{{cite news |last1=Robson |first1=John |title=Trudeau's 'wilful blindness' to the evils of Chinese communism |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-robson-trudeaus-wilful-blindness-to-the-evils-of-chinese-communism |publisher=National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc}}</ref> Meanwhile, in May 2023, according to a CSIS intelligence assessment which provided an overview of Chinese government foreign interference in Canada, it was claimed that China sees Canada as a “high-priority target” and employs “incentives and punishment” as part of a vast influence network directed at legislators, business executives and diaspora communities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-china-targets-mps-csis/ |title=China views Canada as a 'high priority' for interference: CSIS report |publisher=theglobeandmail.com|date=2006-04-16 |access-date=2023-01-05 }}</ref>

In 2024, the Parliament of Canada passed the ''[[Countering Foreign Interference Act]]'', which amended the ''Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act'' to give CSIS powers to investigate potential foreign interference in the Canadian political system.

===Leadership===
The leadership position is mostly a political appointment.

Coulombe and Yaworski were promoted from the ranks within CSIS. Vigneault had held a management posting with CSIS. Neufeld had joined CSIS in 1984 after being in the RCMP.

Finn was previously assistant secretary to the federal cabinet for security and intelligence matters in the 1970s.

Neufeld (RCMP) and Vigneault (CBSA, CSE) have law enforcement backgrounds.

# [[Ted Finn]] 1984–1987<ref name="cbcai">{{cite news |title=Crime Files: What did CSIS know? |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/files_csis.html |publisher=CBC |date=27 August 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060115181802/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/files_csis.html |archive-date=15 January 2006}}</ref><ref name="tfocobit">{{cite news |last1=Thomson |first1=Andrew |title=First CSIS director, Ted Finn, dies at 68 |url=http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=9dc68afe-3230-4b5b-bd27-6f1f7322465a&k=31435 |agency=CanWest News Service |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |date=24 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101031825/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=9dc68afe-3230-4b5b-bd27-6f1f7322465a&k=31435 |archive-date=1 January 2008}}</ref>
# [[Reid Morden]] 1988–1992<ref name="cjnmm">{{cite news |last1=Arnold |first1=Janice |title=MEDIA MONITOR MARKS 18 YEARS OF COUNTER-TERROR EFFORTS |url=https://www.cjnews.com/news/canada/media-monitor-marks-18-years-counter-terror-efforts |publisher=Canadian Jewish News |date=23 November 2016}}</ref>
# [[Ray Protti]] 1992–1994<ref name="csishist">{{cite news |title=Working Toward a More Effective Organization |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/hstrrtfcts/hstr/brfwrkngndx-eng.asp |publisher=Canadian Security Intelligence Service |date=2008-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518192146/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/hstrrtfcts/hstr/brfwrkngndx-eng.asp |archive-date=18 May 2008}}</ref>
# [[Ward Elcock]] 1994–2004<ref name=webio>{{cite web |url=http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=18 |title=Prime Minister announces changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service |website=pm.gc.ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207181246/http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1822 |url-status=dead|archive-date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2018}}</ref>
# [[Dale Neufeld]] - Acting Director from May to November 2004<ref name=csishist/>
# [[Jim Judd]] 2004–2009<ref name=emjudd>{{cite web |url=http://www.embassymag.ca/page/view/tp2-4-22-2009 |title=Spy Master to Retire |access-date=2010-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928052418/http://www.embassymag.ca/page/view/tp2-4-22-2009 |archive-date=2011-09-28 }}</ref><ref name=kutty>{{cite web |url=http://faisalkutty.com/editors-picks/head-of-csis-stepping-down-in-surprise-move-jim-judd-is-leaving-before-end-of-his-term-as-chief-of-spy-agency/ |title=Head of CSIS stepping down – In surprise move, Jim Judd is leaving before end of his term as chief of spy agency |access-date=2010-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213060426/http://faisalkutty.com/editors-picks/head-of-csis-stepping-down-in-surprise-move-jim-judd-is-leaving-before-end-of-his-term-as-chief-of-spy-agency/ |archive-date=2011-02-13 }}</ref>
# [[Richard Fadden]] 2009–2013<ref name=rfout>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-director-richard-fadden-shuffled-to-defence-1.1344104|date=April 22, 2013 |title=CSIS director Richard Fadden shuffled to Defence; Longtime CSIS official Michel Coulombe named interim director |newspaper= The Canadian Press }}</ref>
# [[Michel Coulombe]] 2013–2017<ref name="mccbc">{{cite news |title=CSIS director Michel Coulombe to step down at end of May after three decades |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/michel-coulombe-csis-retiring-1.4023469 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBC |date=13 March 2017}}</ref>
# [[David Vigneault]]* 2017–2024<ref name="cbcjt">{{cite news |title=Justin Trudeau appoints cabinet secretary David Vigneault to lead CSIS |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/vigneault-david-trudeau-coulombe-1.4110932 |publisher=CBC |date=11 May 2017}}</ref>
# Vanessa Lloyd - Current interim Director, appointed after Vigneault's resignation, beginning 20 July 2024 "for a term of six months or until such time as a new director of CSIS is appointed".<ref name="Public Safety Canada"/>
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Deputy director [[Jeffrey Yaworski]] briefly served as interim director for a few weeks following Coulombe's departure, but the agency considers Vigneault to be its ninth director.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Government of |title=Orders In Council - Search |url=https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=34387&lang=en |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=orders-in-council.canada.ca |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Canadian Security Intelligence |date=2018-01-26 |title=Director |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/director.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408195519/https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/director.html |archive-date=2024-04-08 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=www.canada.ca |quote=...Vigneault became the ninth Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).}}</ref>

==Insignia==
CSIS is one of several federal agencies (primarily those involved with law enforcement, security, or having a regulatory function) that have been granted a [[heraldic badge]]. The badge was created in July 1984 (pre-dating the creation of the [[Canadian Heraldic Authority]]).  The badge received royal approval in June 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canadian Security Intelligence Service |date=2020-11-12|website=The Public Register of Arms, Flags, and Badges of Canada|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/1109|publisher=The Governor General of Canada}}</ref>

On December 21, 2016, a CSIS flag was raised for the first time by the director at the national headquarters. The flag displays the CSIS badge on a white field.<ref>{{Cite press release|author=Canadian Security Intelligence Service|date=2016-12-21|title=CSIS Director Statement regarding the raising of the CSIS flags|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/news/2016/12/csis_director_statementregardingtheraisingofthecsisflags.html|access-date=2023-02-15|website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>

In the book, ''The Mosaic Effect'', co-authors, former Canadian Military Security Intelligence Analyst, Scott McGregor and Journalist Ina Mitchell revealed that employees' internal nickname for CSIS is "the Sisters."<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McGregor |first1=Scott |url=https://optimumpublishinginternational.com/shop/the-mosaic-effect-e-book |title=The Mosaic Effect: How the Chinese Communist Party Started a Hybrid War in America's Backyard |last2=Mitchell |first2=Ina |last3=Juneau-Katsuya |first3=Michel |last4=Lau |first4=Finn |last5=Li |first5=Ivy |collaboration=et al. |date=October 26, 2023 |publisher=Optimum Publishing |isbn=978-0888903242 |edition=1st |location=Ottawa |pages=10 |language=}}</ref>

==Mission and operations==
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2020}}
CSIS is a federal [[national security]] agency which conducts national security investigations and security intelligence collection. CSIS collects and analyzes intelligence, then advises the [[Government of Canada]] on issues and activities that may threaten the security of Canada and its citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/index-eng.asp |title=Priority Areas &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229074654/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/index-eng.asp |archive-date=2012-12-29 }}</ref> These threats include terrorism,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/trrrsm/index-eng.asp |title=Terrorism &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327040929/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/trrrsm/index-eng.asp |archive-date=2013-03-27 }}</ref> espionage and foreign interference in Canadian affairs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/spng/index-eng.asp |title=Espionage and Foreign Interference &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227094020/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/spng/index-eng.asp |archive-date=2012-12-27 }}</ref> proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/prlfrtn/index-eng.asp |title=Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019182941/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/prlfrtn/index-eng.asp |archive-date=2012-10-19 }}</ref> and [[information security]] threats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/nfrmtn/index-eng.asp |title=Information Security Threats &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224015805/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/nfrmtn/index-eng.asp |archive-date=2013-02-24 }}</ref> The agency is also responsible for the security screening program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/scrt-scrnng-eng.asp |title=Security Screening &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-01-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228204748/http://www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/prrts/scrt-scrnng-eng.asp |archive-date=2012-12-28 }}</ref>

There is no restriction in the ''Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act'' on where CSIS may collect "security intelligence" or information relating to threats to the security of Canada.<ref name=CSIS_Act>{{Cite canlaw|short title  =Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act|abbr =RSC|year =1985|chapter =C-23.|link =https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-23/}}</ref> The Service can collect three sorts of datasets: a publicly available dataset, a dataset which belongs to an approved class which is defined by the Minister, and a dataset that "predominantly relates to non-Canadians who are outside Canada."<ref name=CSIS_Act/>

There is a distinction between "security intelligence" and "foreign intelligence". Security intelligence pertains to national security threats (e.g., [[terrorism]], [[espionage]]). Foreign intelligence involves information collection relating to the political or economic activities of foreign states. Previous law stated that CSIS was only allowed to collect this intelligence within Canada but due to an updated law in 2016 they are now allowed to collect that intelligence abroad as well.

CSIS has served in many different countries, especially after 9/11. Examples of some of the countries they have served in are: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Mali, Libya, Sudan, Pakistan, Somalia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

CSIS is neither a police agency nor is it a part of the military. As a civilian intelligence agency, the primary role of CSIS is not law enforcement. Investigation of criminal activity is left to the RCMP and local (provincial, regional or municipal) police agencies. CSIS, like counterparts such as the [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[MI5|Security Service]] (MI5) and the US [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA), is a civilian agency. CSIS is subject to review by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) as well as other legislative checks and balances. The agency carries out its functions in accordance with the ''Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act'', which governs and defines its powers and activities.

Canadian police, military agencies ([[Intelligence Branch (Canadian Forces)|Canadian Forces Intelligence Branch]]), and numerous other government departments may maintain their own "intelligence" components (i.e. to analyze criminal intelligence or military strategic intelligence). [[Global Affairs Canada]] maintains a Security and Intelligence Bureau to review and analyze overtly acquired information. The bureau plays a coordinating and policy role. While not an intelligence agency, it is responsible for the security of Global Affairs Canada personnel around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stenotran.com/commission/maherarar/2005-05-17%20volume%2011.pdf |title=P:\Commissions of Inquiry\Maher Arar\2005-05-17 volume 11.wpd |access-date=2010-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611110400/http://www.stenotran.com/commission/maherarar/2005-05-17%20volume%2011.pdf |archive-date=2011-06-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, these agencies are not to be confused with the more encompassing work of larger, more dedicated "intelligence agencies" such as CSIS, MI5, [[MI6]], or the CIA.

As [[Canada]]'s contributor of human intelligence to the [[Five Eyes]], CSIS works closely with the intelligence agencies of the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]]. Under the post-[[World War II]] [[Quadripartite Agreement (1947)|Quadripartite (UKUSA) Agreement]], intelligence information is shared between the intelligence agencies of these five countries.

CSIS was named one of "[[Canada's Top 100 Employers]]" by Mediacorp Canada Inc. for the years of 2009–2011, and was featured in ''[[Maclean's]]'' newsmagazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eluta.ca/jobs-at-csis|title=All jobs at Canadian Security Intelligence Service / CSIS &#124; Eluta.ca|website=www.eluta.ca}}</ref>

==Organization==
===Regional===
[[File:CSIS HQ.jpg|thumb|Front view of CSIS HQ in Ottawa.]]
CSIS headquarters is located in Ottawa, Ontario and is responsible for the overall operations. Regionally, Canada is broken down into six subordinate regions; the Atlantic, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto, Prairie, and British Columbia Regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://csiscareers.ca/en/working-csis/work-environment/regional-offices|title=Regional Offices|work=csiscareers.ca|access-date=2013-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527075916/http://csiscareers.ca/en/working-csis/work-environment/regional-offices|archive-date=2013-05-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

These regions are responsible for investigating any threat to Canada and its allies as defined by the ''Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act''. They liaise with the various federal, provincial, municipal and private sector entities found within their areas of responsibility. They also conduct various outreach programs with different community and cultural groups, universities, and private sector organizations in an effort to provide a better understanding, and to clear up any misunderstandings of the role of CSIS.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csis.gc.ca/pblctns/nnlrprt/2010-2011/rprt2010-2011-eng_final.asp#cooperation |title=2010-2011 Public Report &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116141304/https://www.csis.gc.ca/pblctns/nnlrprt/2010-2011/rprt2010-2011-eng_final.asp |archive-date=2012-11-16 }}</ref> All these regions also border the US and they therefore maintain contact with their US federal counterparts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csis.gc.ca/pblctns/nnlrprt/2009-2010/rprt2009-2010-eng.asp#profile |title=2009-2010 Public Report &#124; CSIS |access-date=2013-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529174129/http://www.csis.gc.ca/pblctns/nnlrprt/2009-2010/rprt2009-2010-eng.asp |archive-date=2013-05-29 }}</ref>

====Atlantic Region====
The Atlantic Region encompasses the four Atlantic provinces ([[Nova Scotia]], [[New Brunswick]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]], and [[Prince Edward Island]]) and is the smallest of the six CSIS regions. Its main office is located in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], with two district offices in [[Fredericton, NB|Fredericton]] and [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's]].

====Quebec Region====
This region is responsible solely for the province of [[Quebec]]. Its main office is in [[Montreal]], with one district office in [[Quebec City]].

====Ottawa and Toronto Regions====
These two regions are responsible for operations in Ontario (except for NW Ontario). There are four district offices located in Niagara Falls, Windsor, [[Downtown Toronto]] and at [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/arrest-made-after-scare-outside-csis-offices-1.594759 |title=Arrest made after scare outside CSIS offices &#124; CTV Toronto News |website=Toronto.ctvnews.ca |date=2011-01-11 |access-date=2016-11-06}}</ref>

====Prairie Region====
Geographically, this represents the largest of the six regions and encompasses the area of Ontario north and west of [[Thunder Bay]], [[Manitoba]], [[Saskatchewan]], [[Alberta]] and the three northern territories of [[Yukon]], [[Northwest Territories]] and [[Nunavut]]. The regional office is located in [[Edmonton]] with three district offices located in [[Winnipeg]], [[Regina, Saskatchewan|Regina]] and [[Calgary]].

====British Columbia====
This region is responsible for the province of British Columbia. Its main office is located in downtown Burnaby with a district office at the [[Vancouver International Airport]].

===Executive structure===
CSIS is functionally divided into three Deputy Directorates and five Assistant Directorates:<ref name=org>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/transparency/transition-materials/organizational-chart.html|title=Canadian Security Intelligence Service, "Organizational chart, March 19, 2020."|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527072832/https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/transparency/transition-materials/organizational-chart.html|archive-date=May 27, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Deputy Director Operations
** Assistant Director Collection
** Assistant Director Requirements
* Deputy Director Administration and Chief Financial Officer
* Deputy Director Policy and Strategic Partnerships
* Assistant Director Legal Services
* Assistant Director Technology
* Assistant Director Human Resources

CSIS also houses a Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive and a Senior Officer for Disclosure of Wrongdoing.<ref name=org />

==Weapons==
CSIS officers stationed in foreign flashpoints, such as Afghanistan, carry unspecified guns, however they are not authorized to bear arms inside Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Undercover CSIS agents carry guns in foreign flashpoints|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/undercover-csis-agents-carry-guns-in-foreign-flashpoints/article4320423/|access-date=2020-07-06}}</ref>

== Training ==
CSIS Intelligence Officers (IOs) are required to complete the Intelligence Officer Entry Training (IOET) program at CSIS HQ in Ottawa, Ontario, followed by a three-year professional development program with a mandatory posting in Ottawa. Upon completion of the program, IOs may progress to the investigator role and may be relocated to other offices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Canadian Security Intelligence |date=2020-11-26 |title=Applying for a job at CSIS: Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/csis-jobs/faq.html |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> Intelligence Officers are put on probation for at least a year upon completion of the IOET.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service/corporate/csis-jobs/faq.html|title=Applying for a job at CSIS: Frequently Asked Questions|first=Canadian Security Intelligence|last=Service|date=November 26, 2020|website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> Foreign language training is also available for Intelligence Officers.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

== Research, analysis and production ==
The RAP was reorganized in 1996–1997 in order to better coordinate with the Intelligence Assessment Secretariat of the [[Privy Council Office (Canada)|Privy Council Office]].<ref name="book1">{{cite book|title=Inside Canadian Intelligence: Exposing the New Realities of Espionage and International Terrorism|url=https://archive.org/details/insidecanadianin00hami|url-access=registration|date=30 May 2011|publisher=Dundurn|isbn=978-1-55488-891-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/insidecanadianin00hami/page/40 40]}}</ref><ref name="Lowenthal2016">{{cite book|author=Mark M. Lowenthal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DiE9DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT410|title=Intelligence: From Secrets to Policy|date=29 September 2016|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-1-5063-7957-9|page=410}}</ref> It has four sub-divisions: Counter Intelligence, Foreign Intelligence, Counter-terrorism and Distribution.<ref name="book1"/>

==Oversight==
As part of an omnibus national security bill passed by the Parliament in 2019, the oversight and reporting regime for CSIS was overhauled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence/nationalsecurity/our-security-our-rights/enhancing-accountability-transparency.html|title=Enhancing Accountability and Transparency|first=Public Safety|last=Canada|date=November 22, 2017|website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> The previous agency that handled all oversight of CSIS, the [[Security Intelligence Review Committee]] (SIRC) was replaced by a new agency, the [[National Security and Intelligence Review Agency|National Security & Intelligence Review Agency]] (NSIRA), which now includes oversight of all national security and intelligence activities undertaken by any agency of the Government of Canada.

The reforms also included the creation of a new [[Intelligence Commissioner of Canada|Intelligence Commissioner]] who reports to Parliament and has quasi-judicial oversight of all national security matters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/intelligence-commissioner/raisondetre-mandate-and-role.html|title=Raison d'être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do|first=Office of the Intelligence|last=Commissioner|date=March 6, 2020|website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>

[[National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians]] (NSICOP) is the primary oversight committee in regards to Canadian Intelligence. The committee performs strategic and systematic reviews of the legislative, regulatory, policy, expenditure and administrative frameworks under which national security activities are conducted.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nsicop-cpsnr.ca/about-a-propos-de-nous-en.html | title=About the NSICOP &#124; National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians }}</ref> The committee is composed of members from the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]] and [[Senate of Canada|Senate]]. While members are made up of [[Member of parliament|Members of Parliament]], the committee is not a [[standing committee]] nor a [[special committee]] of Parliament. Rather, it is an agency of the executive branch, itself overseen by the [[Office of the Prime Minister (Canada)|Prime Minister's Office]].

According to L'Hebdo Journal, it is reported that some senior officials of the service used a [[bunker]] in [[Ottawa]] to file and discuss warrant applications with judges of the [[Federal Court of Canada|Federal Court]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-08-08 |title=Un comité parlementaire se penche sur l'emploi de logiciels espions par la GRC |url=http://syndication.thecanadianpress.com/rss/26a1365b-cde7-44b5-923d-dff96aea6f7f/09176c16-bf3e-40d7-92bc-9a572289aa1f |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=L'Hebdo Journal |language=fr-CA}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{Global surveillance}}
In the first year after its creation, CSIS was embroiled in the [[Air India Flight 182|Air India bombing incident.]] There is evidence that CSIS knew of the plot three weeks before it happened, had multiple informants under surveillance, and that one of the suspects in the bombing, [[Surjan Singh Gill]], was a CSIS informant.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=Coverup by Canadian Spy Agency Alleged |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/06/03/coverup-by-canadian-spy-agency-alleged/6205490b-5300-4fdd-9eb5-febcb48dec4d/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-25 |title=CBC News In Depth: Air India |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/evidence1.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125155405/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/evidence1.html |archive-date=November 25, 2010 }}</ref> It was also revealed that of the 210 wiretaps recorded before and after the bombing, 156 were erased by CSIS. The scandal contributed to the resignation of CSIS' first director, [[Ted Finn]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-25 |title=CBC News In Depth: Air India |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/evidence2.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125155103/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/evidence2.html |archive-date=November 25, 2010 }}</ref>

Crown prosecutor James Jardine expressed frustration with CSIS to the [[Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182]], headed by Justice John C. Major. Two Canadian courts have publicly criticized CSIS for destroying wiretap evidence. One court commented on the importance of wiretap evidence from CSIS in establishing guilt. The second focused on its exculpatory value.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}

From 1988-1994, CSIS contracted a private investigator to act as an undercover agent. The agent, [[Grant Bristow]], built relationships with far-right activists and white supremacists involved in the [[Nationalist Party of Canada]], before breaking off with them to form the [[Heritage Front]]. Bristow would act as one of the Front's leading organizers, including helping to organize actions, recruit members, bring speakers to Canada (such as [[Tom Metzger]]), and offer training to Front activists. When the story became public knowledge, the press aired concerns that he had not only been one of the founders of the Heritage Front group, but that he had also channelled CSIS funding to the group.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farnsworth |first1=Clyde H. |date=28 August 1994 |title=Canada's Security Agency Accused of Spying on Canadians |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/28/world/canada-s-security-agency-accused-of-spying-on-canadians.html |access-date=2016-11-06 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Milton |first=Jon |date=25 July 2018 |title=Police, spies and white supremacy: A brief history |url=https://ricochet.media/justice/police-state/police-spies-and-white-supremacy-a-brief-history/ |website=Ricochet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brazao |first=Dale |date=26 September 2016 |title=The CSIS spy who co-founded Heritage Front neo-Nazi group |url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20160926/282029031711589 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Toronto Star |via=PressReader}}</ref>

In 1997, the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police]] collaborated with CSIS on [[Project Sidewinder]], a study alleging China had set up a foreign influence network in Canada. The RCMP accused CSIS of "watering down" the report.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2000-04-29|title=China set up crime web in Canada, report says|language=en-CA|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/china-set-up-crime-web-in-canada-report-says/article4163320/|access-date=December 14, 2021}}</ref>

In several instances, CSIS has been accused of misrepresenting facts to the courts.<ref name="Ottawa Citizen">{{cite news |last= MacLeod |first= Ian |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-security-intelligence-service-asked-foreign-intelligence-to-spy-on-canadians-csis-also-purposely-misled-judge |title=CSIS asked foreign agencies to spy on Canadians, kept court in dark, judge says |date= December 21, 2013 |access-date=October 18, 2022 |work=[[Ottawa Citizen]] }}</ref> In 2013, CSIS was censured by Federal Court Judge [[Richard Mosley]] for deliberately misleading the Federal Court to make it possible for them to allow other agencies to spy on Canadians abroad, which is not allowed by Canadian law.<ref>{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Perkel |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/judge-slams-spy-agency-for-end-running-law-to--intercept-canadians-abroad-236781891.html |title=Judge slams spy agency for end-running law to intercept Canadians abroad |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |date=20 December 2013 |access-date=2014-03-11 |work=[[Winnipeg Free Press]] }}</ref> Mosley found that "CSIS breached its duty of candour to the Court by not disclosing information that was relevant," according to a statement by the Federal Court.<ref>{{cite news |last= Freeze|first=Colin |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/csis-not-being-forthcoming-with-court-federal-judge-says/article15599674/ |title=CSIS not being forthcoming with court, federal judge says |date= November 25, 2013 |access-date=March 11, 2014|work=[[The Globe and Mail]] }}</ref>

CSIS has also been involved in cases where evidence has been mishandled or omitted from the Courts. In 2009, it was alleged that the service did not disclose information that their confidential informants, which CSIS had been relying on to gather information about their targets, were either deceptive,{{clarify|date=October 2014}} or failed lie-detector tests.<ref>{{cite news |last= Shephard|first=Michelle |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/06/30/spy_agency_bungled_second_terror_case.html |title=Spy agency bungled second terror case |date= June 30, 2009 |access-date=March 11, 2014 |work=[[Toronto Star]] }}</ref> This was not an isolated case, and in several other instances, the agency mishandling of evidence has also called for investigation.<ref>{{cite news |last= Duffy|first= Andrew|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/06/30/spy_agency_bungled_second_terror_case.html |title=Failed lie detector test casts doubt on Harkat terror case |date=June 5, 2009 |access-date=March 11, 2014|work=[[National Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2009/06/30/spy_agency_bungled_second_terror_case.html |title=CSIS failed to give judge info on Almrei |date=30 June 2009 |access-date=2014-03-11 |publisher=[[CBC News]]}}</ref>

On September 18, 2006, the Arar Commission absolved CSIS of any involvement in the [[extraordinary rendition]] by the United States of a [[Canadians|Canadian]] citizen, [[Maher Arar]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} The commission found that US authorities sent Arar to [[Jordan]] and then [[Syria]] (his country of birth) based on incorrect information which had been provided by the RCMP to the US government. Arar was held by the Syrians for one year and was tortured. The sole criticism of CSIS leveled by the commission was that the agency should do more to critically examine information provided by regimes which practice [[torture]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

On March 31, 2009, CSIS lawyer and advisor Geoffrey O'Brian told the Committee on Public Safety and National Security that CSIS would use information obtained by torture if it could prevent another attack such as [[September 11 attacks|9/11]] or the Air India bombing. Testifying before the same committee two days later, the director of CSIS, Jim Judd said that O'Brian "may have been confused" and "venturing into a hypothetical", and would send the committee a clarifying letter.<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[The Canadian Press]] |url=https://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/612514 |title=Official misspoke; CSIS says it's not involved in torture |work=[[Toronto Star]] |date=2009-04-02 |access-date=2011-03-02}}</ref> Two weeks later CSIS announced that Judd would be retiring in June, five months before the end of his five-year term.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/618623 |title=Head of CSIS stepping down |work=[[Toronto Star]] |date=2009-04-15 |access-date=2011-03-02}}</ref>

Prominent Canadian national security lawyer [[Barbara Jackman]] has also been critical, categorizing the research by CSIS as "sloppy" and that its officers are "susceptible to [[tunnel vision]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/defence-challenges-csis-intelligence-in-security-certificate-case-1.611234|title=Defence challenges CSIS intelligence in security certificate case |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=September 12, 2006 |access-date=2012-11-16}}</ref>

In 2017, several CSIS members including [[Huda Mukbil]] accused the organization of having a racist and homophobic workplace culture.<ref>{{cite news |title=CSIS whistleblowers faced hurdles seeking justice and telling their stories |url=https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2023/11/30/csis-whistleblowers-faced-hurdles-seeking-justice-and-telling-their-stories/ |agency=CityNews}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCAKBN19Z22D-OCADN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715150519/http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCAKBN19Z22D-OCADN|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2017|title=Canadian spies accuse bosses of homophobia, racism: lawsuit|first=David|last=Ljunggren|newspaper=Reuters|date=14 July 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, CSIS was accused by Canadian lawmakers of purposely giving money to former terrorists-turned-informants for more information, CSIS repeatedly denied this. However several weeks later Director [[David Vigneault]] would appear in front of [[Canada's Parliament]] to testify regarding the act.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bruce Livesey |date=10 October 2017 |title=CSIS and RCMP accused of entrapping terrorism suspects |url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/10/10/news/csis-and-rcmp-accused-entrapping-terrorism-suspects |publisher=[[Canada's National Observer]]}}</ref>

In June 2023, a prominent Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was murdered outside a temple in British Columbia, Canada by unidentified gunmen. Notably in September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being behind Nijjar's death, saying that Canadian intelligence had identified "credible allegations" of a link between his death and agents of the Indian state.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66158842 | title=How Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder in Canada fuelled tensions with India | author=Nadine Yousif |publisher=[[BBC]]|date=18 September 2023}}</ref>

In December 2023, CSIS launched a workplace assessment on CSIS' BC office due to serious allegations of rape by anonymous female CSIS officers and concerns of a toxic environment.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/csis-to-probe-b-c-office-after-allegations-of-rape-harassment-and-toxic-workplace-1.6668728 | title=CSIS to probe B.C. Office after allegations of rape, harassment and toxic workplace | date=December 2023 }}</ref> At the same time, an ombudsman position would be created to look into workplace issues for employees to submit reports anonymously without any fear of reprisals while reports on harassment and wrongdoing by CSIS would be released annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-csis-rape-1.7053863|title=CSIS boss apologizes for rape claim response|first=Justin|last=Tang|publisher=The Canadian Press|via=CBC|date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409193202/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-csis-rape-1.7053863|archive-date=9 April 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.canada.ca/en/security-intelligence-service.html}}
* [http://circ.jmellon.com/agencies/csis/ CSIS news archive at The Canadian Intelligence Resource Centre (CIRC)]
* [http://www.parl.gc.ca/infocomdoc/38/1/snsn/meetings/evidence/snsnev15-e.htm 38th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION] contains a review of the roles of CSIS and the RCMP role under the ''Anti-Terrorism Act''.

{{Domestic national intelligence agencies}}
{{Can Intel}}
{{Government agencies of Canada}}
{{Five Eyes}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Canadian Security Intelligence Service| ]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:Canadian intelligence agencies|Security Intelligence Service]]
[[Category:Federal departments and agencies of Canada]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1984]]
[[Category:Public Safety Canada]]