Section 19 — Citizenship Act: Definitions

The following definitions apply in this section and sections 19.1, 19.2 and 20. Review Agency means the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency. ( Office de surveillance ) threats to the security of Canada has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act . ( menaces envers la sécurité du Canada ) The Minister may make a report to the Review Agency if the Minister is of the opinion that a person should not be granted citizenship under section 5 or subsection 11(1) or administered the oath of citizenship or be issued a certificate of renunciation under section 9 because there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person has engaged, is engaging or may engage in activity that constitutes a threat to the security of Canada; or that is part of a pattern of criminal activity planned and organized by a number of persons acting in concert in furtherance of the commission of any offence that may be punishable under any Act of Parliament by way of indictment. The Minister shall, within ten days after a report is made pursuant to subsection (2), cause a notice to be sent informing the person referred to in that subsection of the report and stating that following an investigation in relation thereto, a declaration with respect to that person may be made by the Governor in Council under section 20. Where a report is made to the Review Agency pursuant to subsection (2), the Review Agency shall investigate the grounds on which it is based and for that purpose sections 10 to 12, 20, 25 to 28 and 30 of the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency Act apply, with any necessary modifications, to the investigation as if the investigation were conducted in relation to a complaint made under subsection 18(3) of that Act, except that a reference in any of those provisions to “deputy head” shall be read as a reference to the Minister. If the Review Agency is of the opinion that it cannot perform its duties described in subsections (4), (5) and (6), it must cease its investigation and give notice to the Minister and the person referred to in subsection (2). The Review Agency shall, as soon as practicable after a report is made to it pursuant to subsection (2), send to the person with respect to whom the report is made a statement summarizing such information available to it as will enable the person to be as fully informed as possible of the circumstances giving rise to the report. The Review Agency shall, on completion of an investigation made pursuant to subsection (4), make a report to the Governor in Council on all matters relating thereto and shall, at the same time as or after the report is made, provide the complainant with the conclusions of the report.