It is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario in a purpose-built facility completed in 1995. CSIS is responsible to Parliament through the minister of public safety, and is overseen by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency. The agency is also subject to review by the Federal Court.

Is CSIS part of RCMP?

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS, pronounced “see-sis”) is Canada's spy agency. CSIS is not a police agency like the RCMP – its officers have no power to arrest or detain and do not enforce the Criminal Code or other laws. ... CSIS also gathers information secretly, through surveillance techniques.

Does CSIS spy on Canadians?

Canada's spy agency says 2020 saw the highest level of foreign espionage and foreign interference directed at Canadian targets since the end of the Cold War. ... "In 2020, CSIS observed espionage and foreign interference activity at levels not seen since the Cold War."