Report of the events relating to Maher Arar : Rapport sur les événements concernant Maher Arar : les faits

Report of the Events Relating to Maher Arar Factual Background volume i Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar The Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar as originally submitted to the Governor in Council included some material which in this published version has been omitted in the intere [...] The RCMP did not act on the FBI’s request, as it was not yet prepared to detain and interview the individuals named.9 1.3 CSIS TRANSFER OF INVESTIGATIONS TO THE RCMP For some months prior to September 11, 2001, the CSIS office in Toronto had been investigating the activities of a group of targets10 active in the area who CSIS believed were connected to al-Qaeda. [...] Prior to 9/11, the RCMP offered a training course in national security in- vestigations entitled “Criminal Extremism and Terrorism.”59 Mandatory for all members of NSIS,60 the course was not available from the fall of 2001 until the winter of 2002, due to other priorities in dealing with the aftermath of 9/11.61 The name was eventually changed to the “National Security Enforcement Course,” and in [...] Despite this formal change in the program, however, the of- ficer continued in his capacity as the CSIS LO, and assisted with the exchange of information between CSIS and the RCMP.114 The process for delivering situation reports remained the same as well. [...] It is provided on condition that it is for use solely by the intelligence community of the receiv- ing government and that it not be declassified without the express permission of the Government of Canada.” If necessary, the following statement can be attached as well: “This intelligence should not be reclassified or disseminated outside the RCMP with- out prior consent of the originator.” The cav