Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act

To keep Canadians safe, federal government institutions that have a national security mandate and/or responsibilities must be able to share information in the interest of national security.

The Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act (SCIDA) is a key piece of legislation that provides authority for all federal government institutions to disclose information to a designated group of 17 departments and agencies with recognized national security mandates and/or responsibilities. Enacted in 2019 as part of Bill C-59, the National Security Act, 2017, it is intended to improve timely and effective information-sharing between government institutions for national security purposes.

The SCIDA empowers these institutions to receive and share information quickly, effectively and responsibly with each other in order to identify, prevent and respond to national security threats when there are no other authorities enabling them to do so.

It does not replace or expand existing laws related to the collection, use, or retention of information. Its authorities are strictly limited to when and how national security information may be disclosed and received by Government of Canada institutions. Its authority also does not extend to information sharing with international, provincial, municipal or private sector partners.

Strategic Coordination Centre on Information Sharing

Public Safety Canada manages the Strategic Coordination Centre on Information Sharing (SCCI) to help support the timely, effective and responsible sharing of national security information between federal government institutions.

The SCCI provides training, support and resources to Government of Canada partners to effectively share national security information while promoting best practices within the national security community. It does not itself, however, collect or share any personal information related to national security.

To facilitate national security information sharing, the SCCI works closely with partners across the national security community to ensure cooperation and integration. By fostering a culture of partnership, the SCCI better enables partners to work together to protect Canada’s national security and overcome information-sharing obstacles.

SCIDA Job Aids & Templates

The following resources are intended to help federal government institutions navigate the SCIDA and to facilitate the development of effective and responsible information disclosure practices.

The National Security and Intelligence Review Reports and Government Responses

The National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) is required, under its governing legislation, to submit an annual report to the Minister of Public Safety on disclosures made under SCIDA the previous year. The Minister is then obligated to table the report in Parliament. The published reports along with the Government of Canada’s responses to the reviews can be found below:

• NSIRA’s 2022 Review of federal institutions’ disclosures of information under the Security of Canada Information Disclosure Act
  • Government of Canada Response
  • Government of Canada Response
  • Government of Canada Response

  As the centre of expertise on the SCIDA, Public Safety Canada’s SCCI examines NSIRA’s reports and recommendations carefully to ensure that the guidance provided to departments on the legislation is the best possible. The SCCI monitors the implementation of recommendations that the Government of Canada has agreed to in its responses to NSIRA, liaising with other government departments and providing support and training as required.

  Contact Information

  For questions about SCCI or SCIDA-related resources, please send an email to: scci-ccsi@ps-sp.gc.ca.