The Member of Parliament for Provencher calls it a humbling appointment.

Ted Falk is referring to this weeks's announcement by the Prime Minister, naming the members of the National Security and Intelligence of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) committee. This is a multi-party committee, with representatives from both the Senate and the House of Commons, including Falk.

The Committee is mandated to review national security and intelligence activities carried out across the Government of Canada, including those undertaken by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Communications Security Establishment, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Services Agency and the Department of National Defence.

Due to the nature of their work, all committee members hold top-secret security clearances and are permanently bound to secrecy under the Security of Information Act. Falk says this is a committee that answers directly to the Prime Minister. It requires the Prime Minister to ratify the appointment and sign off on it, unlike any other positions held by members of the opposition.

"I am humbled to be serving on NSICOP," says Falk. "It's a weighty responsibility, but I look forward to conducting these duties to the best of my abilities."

Falk previously served as a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

According to Falk, back in November, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer gave him the choice of how he wanted to serve in this session of Parliament. He offered a position as a shadow minister or a member of NSICOP.

"I was one of the few members that was given that choice and I chose to be a part of this committee," says Falk. "I think it's going to be a really exciting committee, I'm looking forward to the work."

Falk says he has always believed that the primary responsibility of the Government of Canada and an MP is to make sure its citizens are safe. He says this committee is in keeping with that top concern.

Meanwhile, Falk says this new responsibility certainly creates the potential for additional travel, including internationally and more frequent trips to Ottawa. Further to that, he says this is one of those positions that can not be talked about at home.