Canada’s ability to spy overseas under microscope by MPs, senators

CANADA Canada’s ability to spy overseas under microscope by MPs, senators By Jim Bronskill The Canadian Press Posted September 20, 2026 9:11 am 3 min read View image in full screen The West Block of Parliament Hill is pictured behind the Centennial Flame as a heavy fog hangs over downtown Ottawa on Thursday, April 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Parliamentarians are taking a hard look at Canada’s overseas intelligence gathering capabilities as debate simmers over the need for a new foreign spy agency. The MPs and senators who make up the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians are examining the effectiveness of Canada’s foreign intelligence collection. The secretariat of the highly secretive committee would not elaborate on the scope, timeframe or potential findings of the review, which was announced in a brief June statement. It also declined to make chair Darren Fisher, a Liberal MP, available for an interview. A recent academic paper on the decades-long discussion about whether Canada should launch a foreign spy agency was to be included in the material presented to committee members as background for their investigation. Records recently disclosed by Public Safety Canada under the Access to Information Act indicate cabinet ministers have been briefed on the idea of expanding Canada’s capacity to gather and act on foreign intelligence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT The Communications Security Establishment, Canada’s cyberspy agency, collects foreign intelligence through electronic means. Global Affairs Canada contributes diplomatic reporting, while the military gathers defence-specific intelligence. CSIS is permitted to gather intelligence in Canada and abroad about security threats such as terrorism and espionage. It is allowed to gather foreign intelligence — information about the activities, capabilities and intentions of foreign people, organizations and states — only within Canada, not overseas. Get breaking Montreal news Get breaking Montreal news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story. SIGN UP FOR BREAKING MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. A CSIS memo prepared last…