What Is CSIS?

The CIA is an immortalized organization within American political, intelligence, and security culture. Consider how many movies involve them or the FBI.

So what's Canada's equivalence? Without the Bourne Identity intrigue of course. Welcome to CSIS.

CSIS is restricted to activities, thanks in part to budgetary constraints, on Canadian soil which is why Canada always relies on American and European intelligence gathering that involve Canada abroad.

Information on CSIS is limited and Canadians know precious little of its function. Like most anything, we know far more about American operations. CSIS has been controversial from the onset mostly for its Dudley-Do Right-Keystone Cops-like competence; lost documents, laptops and even corrupt when the RCMP ran the show, etc.

If the RCMP-CSIS split isn't confusing enough, add the Communications Security Establishment to the mix.