Announcement of 1998-1999 Annual Report

News Release —  Communiqué

NR-99.069
July 29, 1999

Minister of National Defence Thanks the CSE Commissioner for his Annual Report

OTTAWA – The Honourable Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defence thanked the Honourable Claude Bisson O.C., Commissioner of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) today for his 1998-1999 Annual Report. This is the third report Commissioner Bisson has released since his appointment in 1996. 

"The CSE plays a significant role in contributing to the safety and security of Canadians," said Minister Eggleton.  "The Department of National Defence is committed to external review of our activities to ensure that internally, we continually improve our performance."

The CSE Commissioner reviews the activities of the CSE to determine whether they are in compliance with the law.  The CSE, an agency of the Department of National Defence, provides foreign intelligence to its Canadian Government clients.  CSE also provides technical advice and service to the Government of Canada to preserve the security of its telecommunications and automated systems. 

"While our methods for reviewing the CSE's activities have become more sophisticated and have allowed us to delve more deeply into the organization, our findings have not changed," said Commissioner Bisson. "I am of the opinion that CSE has acted lawfully in the performance of its mandated activities during the 1998-99 review period.  I am also satisfied that CSE has not targeted the communications of Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada."

The Commissioner also welcomes the enhancement of his mandate, which became effective on his re-appointment June 15, 1999.  Under the revised mandate, which runs until June 2002, the Commissioner may receive, examine and report back on a complaint laid by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.  Previously, the Commissioner lacked the authority to report directly to individual complainants, who were instead referred to the contents of the Annual Reports to draw their own conclusions. 

"This matter is now rectified," said Commissioner Bisson.  "I look forward to operating under these new terms of reference."

With these revised terms of reference, Commissioner Bisson will continue his comprehensive and careful examination of the activities at the heart of the CSE.

- 30 -

For more information please contact:
Joanne Weeks
Commission Secretary
Office of the Communications
Security Establishment Commissioner
(613) 992-3044

Randy Mylyk
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100