Polygraphs have been used by the Canadian government for decades, including at CSE, CSIS and the RCMP. Since 2014, they have been used outside of the intelligence agencies as well as part of a broader standard developed by the Treasury Board, which is the ultimate employer of all federal bureaucrats.Photo by Gord Waldner/Postmedia Files

Spy agency may have violated employees' charter rights with polygraph tests, watchdog says

The Communications Security Establishment regularly uses polygraphs to screen prospective employees and to update their security clearances

by · National Post

OTTAWA — Canada’s electronic spy agency is using polygraphs in ways that may violate employees’ charter rights, deliver inaccurate results and compel them to disclose personal information, according to the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA).

NSIRA, one of the government’s independent intelligence watchdogs, released a review of the use of polygraphs by the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) to screen prospective employees and to regularly update their security clearances. NSIRA found the agency is overly reliant on polygraphs.