Security Intelligence and Review Committee

The Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) is an independent, external review body that reports to the Parliament of Canada on the operations of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS or the Service). Parliament has given CSIS extraordinary powers to intrude on the privacy of individuals. SIRC ensures that these powers are used legally and appropriately, in order to protect Canadians’ rights and freedoms. To do this, SIRC examines past operations of the Service and investigates complaints. It has the absolute authority to examine all information concerning CSIS activities, no matter how sensitive and highly classified that information may be. The results of this work, edited to protect national security and personal privacy, are summarized in its Annual Report to Parliament.

The founding and governing legislation for SIRC is the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act.