Statement from CSIS Director on SIRC Annual Report

OTTAWA, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Minister of Public Safety, Ralph Goodale, tabled the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) Annual Report entitled Broader Horizons: preparing the groundwork for change in security intelligence review in the House of Commons.

Following the tabling, the Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Michel Coulombe, issued the following statement:

"At CSIS, we have always maintained that the SIRC Annual Report plays an important role in providing Parliament – and the Canadian public – with an understanding of our operations. 

We have established a productive relationship with SIRC, whose ongoing reviews contribute to a culture of continual learning and improvement. We welcome the review process and believe it has helped make us a better organization.

I am happy to report that, once again this year, SIRC found that CSIS did not contravene the CSIS Act or Ministerial Direction, and that our activities were reasonable and necessary.

SIRC's findings and recommendations provide valuable feedback for members of our Executive and, as a result, often influence policies and practices. CSIS has accepted and acted on the majority of SIRC's recommendations this year.

Whether domestically or abroad, CSIS abides by the CSIS Act – everything we do to keep Canada safe is consistent with Canadian law and Canadian values."

For more information, please visit the website www.csis.gc.ca/

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Media Relations, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, [phone]