Canada's security and intelligence organizations face "significant challenges" detecting and responding to security threats because of legislative gaps and outdated resources limiting when and how they can access private messages, one of the country's intelligence watchdogs warns.

A recently tabled report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) examined the fiercely contested issue of lawful access — court-approved interception of electronic communications.

While noting legitimate privacy concerns, the report found organizations like the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and RCMP are hindered because they do not have the tools, policies and authorities in place to legally access communications during investigations.

"The committee i

See Full Page