Announcement of 1996-1997 Annual Report

News Release —  Communiqué

OTTAWA, April 24, 1997

CSE Commissioner Submits First Annual Report

The Honourable Douglas Young, Minister of National Defence, today tabled the first annual report of the Commissioner of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) in the House of Commons.

The CSE is Canada's national cryptologic agency, contributing to the government's foreign intelligence program and advising the government on telecommunications and electronic data security.  The Honourable Claude Bisson, retired Chief Justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal, was appointed by Order in Council in June 1996 to a three year term as CSE Commissioner.  His mandate includes the review of CSE operations to determine whether the organization is in compliance with Canadian law.

Commissioner Bisson, in his first annual report, concludes that the "CSE has acted lawfully in the performance of its mandated activities during the period under review. I am also satisfied that CSE has not targeted Canadian citizens or permanent residents." The Commissioner also notes that his findings are consistent with and reinforced by the earlier audits by the Privacy Commissioner and the Auditor General.

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For further information, contact:
Office of the Commissioner of the CSE
(613) 992-3044
Office of the Minister of Defence
(613) 996-3100