Thank you, Chair.
I had indicated that I wanted to talk with you briefly about the overview body. I think it's important that the committee, and the people at home who may watch this, know that CSIS has an oversight body called SIRC. The Honourable Gary Filmon, a former premier, is chair of that Security Intelligence Review Committee, which we frequently call SIRC.
This is a quote of Mr. Filmon:
Let me say first that having served on SIRC for nearly nine years, during which time I have been in regular contact with many organizations with similar mandates, I'm confident that Canada's model is, and is recognized to be, one of the strongest review functions in the world. This is not to say that changes and improvements are not possible, but simply that we have in SIRC an effective tool for helping to ensure the accountability of Canada's security intelligence agency, CSIS. As I'm sure you are aware, SIRC came into being at the same time that Canada created CSIS, its civilian security intelligence service. With the passage of the CSIS Act in 1984, Canada became one of the first democratic governments in the world to establish a detailed legal framework for the operation of its security service. It is equally significant that the CSIS Act created a framework to make CSIS accountable in exercising its powers, a framework that by and large has stood the test of time. Specifically, the CSIS Act defines the mandate and limits of state power to conduct security intelligence. It also spells out how the service's work is to be monitored through a rigorous system of political and judicial controls, including two review bodies, each with a distinct mandate, to watch over the new agency.
That is a quote from Mr. Filmon.
I would draw your attention to this, because it's important to appreciate the context in which CSIS operates. I think we all accept that the people of CSIS are dedicated to the protection of Canada's national security interests and to the safety of all Canadians. It's also clear that what CSIS does is done in accordance with applicable laws and respects human rights.
My recollection from the testimony given on May 11 is that CSIS is, in fact, one of the most monitored intelligence agencies in the world.
Can you provide any insight to us on how being subject to this oversight helps CSIS accomplish its mandate?