Statement from Minister Goodale on the release of Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Public Report

Ottawa, February 28, 2017 - Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, made the following statement on the release of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Public Report for 2014-2016.

“I welcome the release of the 23^rd CSIS Public Report, which provides key trends affecting our country’s national security.  Terrorism and violent extremism remained the most immediate threat to Canada’s national security during the period covered by this report. Interested Canadians will find engaging insight into the Service’s work to keep us all safe while protecting our rights.

In the report, the Director of CSIS recognizes that Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism, and highlights the increased concern of the “extremist traveler” phenomenon: Canadians who leave the country to participate in terrorist activities abroad. The report describes other security concerns and long term threats such as espionage, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and cyber threats.

The Government of Canada monitors all potential threats and has robust measures in place to address them. CSIS uses a suite of investigative techniques that include, among others, open source research physical surveillance, interviews, and analyzing intelligence from a variety of sources. The Service works very closely with other government departments and agencies, police forces across Canada, as well as international partners and continuously assesses their operations in response to the current threat environment.

CSIS and I, as Minister of Public Safety Canada, are committed to inform parliamentarians and members of the public on programs and on issues important to the national security of this country. Consistent with the Government of Canada’s digital by default approach, CSIS has created a digital version of this report as a means to better connect and interact with the public.”

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

Information:

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
(613) 991-0657