National Security Advisor (Canada)
The National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister (French: Conseiller à la sécurité nationale et au renseignement auprès du premier ministre)[1] is an associate secretary in the Privy Council Office (PCO) and is responsible for advising the Prime Minister of Canada on security and intelligence matters. The person in this role is supported by the Security and Intelligence Secretariat and the Intelligence Assessment Staff.
History
The position of National Security Advisor was initiated in 2005 by Anne McLellan, who then was Deputy Prime Minister and had been tasked by Paul Martin with a complete reorganization of Canada's national security scheme. She released a policy document called Securing an Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy to guide others.
Daniel Jean resigned after he suggested that Justin Trudeau's trip to India was sabotaged.[2][3][4]
On 8 November 2019, Greta Bossenmaier retired after a long and distinguished career in the Public Service of Canada.[5]
David Morrison, Trudeau's Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor, took up the slack while Trudeau's PMO looked around for a full-time replacement.[5]
On 22 January 2020, Vince Rigby took up the post, which had been filled in the interim since Bossenmaier's departure by David Morrison[6]
Responsibilities
The National Security and Intelligence Advisor has four main responsibilities:
- providing information, advice and recommendations on security and intelligence policy matters to the Prime Minister of Canada;
- co-ordinating members of the security and intelligence community;
- along with the Deputy Minister of National Defence, accountable to the Minister of National Defence for the Communications Security Establishment; and
- overseeing the intelligence assessment function, specifically the production and co-ordination of intelligence assessments for the Prime Minister, other ministers and senior government officials.
Past NSAs
Resignation, retirement or replacement dates are listed in parentheses.
- Marie-Lucie Morin (2008-2010)
- Richard Fadden (early 2015-March 2016)
- Daniel Jean (May 2016-May 2018)
- Greta Bossenmaier (May 2018-November 2019)
- David Morrison* (November 2019-January 2020)
- Vince Rigby (January 2020-incumbent)
References
- ^ "Organizational structure". Privy Council Office. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
- ^ "Daniel Jean, adviser who suggested Trudeau's India trip was sabotaged, retiring". Retrieved 2018-06-01.
- ^ "Head of Canada's cyber spy agency to become PM's new national security adviser | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
- ^ Glavin, Terry (27 February 2018). "How Trudeau's top national security advisor lost the plot in India". MacLean's.
- ^ a b Trudeau, Justin (8 November 2019). "Statement by the Prime Minister on the retirement of Greta Bossenmaier". Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
- ^ "Trudeau names third national security adviser in as many years". CBC. The Canadian Press. 22 January 2020.
- Privy Council Office (2009). [1]. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
- Privy Council Office (2005). Organization Chart. Retrieved July 8, 2005.
External links
- Privy Council Office: Securing an Open Society: Canada’s National Security Policy.
- Privy Council Office: The Role and Structure of the Privy Council Office: Deputy Secretary, Security and Intelligence.
- GlobalSecurity.org: Privy Council Office (PCO) - Canadian Intelligence Agencies
- Canada School of Public Service: National Security Advisor's role in Canada-US Government Collaboration