CSIS watchdog agency starved of staff, resources

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CSIS watchdog agency starved of staff, resources

[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-wa ... -1.2965276 ]

Conservatives say Security Intelligence Review Committee a 'robust' mechanism for oversight

By Chris Hall, CBC News Posted: Feb 20, 2015 5:00 PM ET| Last Updated: Feb 20, 2015 5:00 PM ET

The independent watchdog Stephen Harper points to as providing the necessary oversight of Canada's spy agency, CSIS, is operating with fewer resources than it had when his government took power nearly a decade ago.

"We already have a rigorous system of oversight on our national security and police agencies," the prime minister told the Commons earlier this month.

"Specifically on intelligence, we have the Security Intelligence Review Committee, which is a robust mechanism for independent, expert, third-party oversight. It functions very well."

But a review by CBC News of the resources allotted to SIRC shows its budget has been nearly flatlined for the past decade because of spending cuts. Critics say the committee will be unable to effectively monitor the new powers CSIS will receive under the government's proposed anti-terrorism legislation.

SIRC received just under $3 million in the last fiscal year for its work investigating complaints against CSIS and reviewing the spy agency's activities. In 2006-07, when the Conservatives took power, the budget was roughly $2.9 million.

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