Ottawa Allocates $6 Billion to CSIS Over Decade

The federal budget tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday sets out ten years of funding for Canada's spy agency.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Terrorism

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a tall federal building tower and lone flagpole against a pale grey sky, evoking national security institutions. — Ottawa will spend $6 billion over ten years on the Canadian Security Intelligence Service in the federal budget tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The federal budget allocates $6 billion to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service over 10 years, starting next fiscal year on a cash basis, plus $579.5 million in ongoing annual funding. The move comes as the Liberal government introduces its first updated national security strategy in more than two decades.

Why it matters

The Liberal government presents the spending as a way to protect Canada through sovereign intelligence, while debate over a Canadian foreign spy service has grown since the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump. Canada is currently a net importer of intelligence, receiving more tips and information from partners than it provides.

The $6 billion is allocated over 10 years on a cash basis starting next fiscal year, with $579.5 million ongoing, against a CSIS budget of just over $1 billion this year. The budget states the funding would expand CSIS's presence and capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign partners, though the cost of any new foreign service remains unstated.

The players

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)

CSIS is Canada's domestic intelligence agency, responsible for investigating threats to national security.

Dan Rogers

Dan Rogers is the director of CSIS, having taken over the role in the fall of 2024.

Gary Anandasangaree

Gary Anandasangaree is Canada's Minister of Public Safety, overseeing federal security and policing agencies.

The details

The budget was tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday afternoon. It states the funding would help CSIS engage with Canadians in their communities and deepen and diversify security relationships around the world, while CSIS remains marred by shocking sexual assault allegations.

Fall 2024: CSIS director Dan Rogers took over the job.
Since November 2024: The debate over a Canadian foreign spy service gained momentum after Donald Trump's re-election.
Week before budget: Liberals introduced the updated national security strategy.
November 5, 2026: Federal budget tabled in the House of Commons.
Next fiscal year: The $6 billion, 10-year CSIS funding period begins.

Legacy Context

The funding arrives alongside the Liberal government's first updated national security strategy in more than two decades, which frames it as a step toward sovereign intelligence. It also follows Canada's long reliance on the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the U.S., U.K., New Zealand, and Australia, a dependence the government now seeks to reduce.

The funding will expand CSIS's presence in communities and its security relationships abroad over the next decade. Canadians may see changes in how intelligence is gathered and shared as the agency's capabilities grow.

The takeaway

Canada's decision to fund its own intelligence capacity signals a shift toward reducing dependence on allies, a debate likely to continue as the national security strategy takes effect.