Canada’s intelligence oversight agencies are urging the government to avoid budget cuts in the upcoming fiscal plan. They warn that reduced funding could hinder their ability to monitor the growing powers of national security agencies, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

In a joint letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) and the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) expressed their concerns. They stated that if their budgets are cut by 15 percent, as proposed in the government’s spending review, they would struggle to effectively oversee the intrusive operations of security agencies.

"We maintain a pivotal equilibrium vis-à-vis the extensive authorities vested in the national security apparatus," the letter reads. The agencies emphasized that without adequate funding, their ability to provide necessary scrutiny would be severely compromised.

Currently, NSIRA operates on an annual budget of less than $18 million, while NSICOP’s secretariat has a budget below $4 million. In contrast, CSIS has a budget exceeding $700 million, with the RCMP and military budgets reaching into the billions.

The letter highlights the potential risks of returning to a time when intelligence services operated with minimal oversight, recalling the controversies of the 2000s that led to public inquiries.

Craig Forcese, vice-chair of NSIRA, noted that cuts would exacerbate existing challenges. "The reality is, with less, we will do less, and this is at a time when we’re seeing a surge in our complaints and the prospect of new and novel powers for intelligence and defense agencies," he said.

Both agencies have been active since their establishment, producing significant reports on national security issues. For instance, NSICOP recently released a report on foreign interference in Canada, while NSIRA found that CSIS failed to disclose the use of new surveillance technologies.

The proposed budget cuts could lead to fewer reviews and longer delays in addressing public complaints, the agencies warned. They argued that the economic savings from these cuts would be minimal compared to the potential negative impact on their oversight capabilities.

In addition, the letter pointed out that other public service organizations, such as the Office of the Auditor General, have been exempted from similar cuts.

The Office of the Intelligence Commissioner, which oversees the powers of spy agencies, also expressed concerns about the impact of budget cuts. Executive Director Justin Dubois confirmed that the office is included in the expenditure review but hopes to avoid reductions.

As the budget announcement approaches, the agencies continue to advocate for their funding needs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust oversight of national security operations.