Federal snooping agency gets big budget increase, watchdogs face cuts
OTTAWA – The budget of Canada’s electronic eavesdropping agency will almost double this year as it prepares to open swanky new Ottawa headquarters.
Estimates tabled in Parliament today show Communications Security Establishment Canada will receive $829 million in 2014-15, up from just under $444 million this year.
It includes a one-time increase of $300 million for a contract payment related to delivery of the spy agency’s new facility and over $100 million related to maintenance of the complex, built through a public-private partnership.
In addition, just over $6 million will support CSEC’s mandate of gathering foreign intelligence and protecting federal computer systems.
At the same time, the budgets of several federal watchdogs will be cut.
The auditor general loses $6 million and the chief electoral officer about $18 million.
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