The Intelligence Cooperation Working Group

The goal of the Intelligence Cooperation Working Group is to enhance intelligence-related partnerships that contribute to North American security. The focus of these efforts is to improve the collective capacity of Canada, the Unites States and Mexico to combat terrorism. To achieve this goal, initiatives are being undertaken under three areas of effort:

• Securing interconnectivity and communication;
• Enhancing the sharing of terrorist screening information; and
• Strengthening capabilities to jointly analyze information.

The sharing of terrorist watch list data and the establishment of appropriate links between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are crucial to combating terrorism risks. Significant effort is required to overcome the policy, legislative and technical issues relating to the secure sharing of highly sensitive information in a timely manner. This work is proceeding in a manner closely guided by the privacy protection laws and structures of each of the three countries. In the interim, information-sharing mechanisms are being reviewed by officials in Canada and the U.S.

To strengthen intelligence cooperation through enhanced threat-assessment links, Canada's Integrated Threat Assessment Centre and the U.S. National Counter Terrorism Centre have enhanced their ongoing information sharing, particularly related to coordinated projects. In addition, efforts to jointly assess terrorist threats to North America have helped identify key areas of mutual concern. Efforts will continue toward developing potential solutions that contribute to the collective capacity of North American security and intelligence agencies to prevent, deter, disrupt and prosecute terrorist crime.