OTTAWA—A newly released audit report shows that difficulties with the judicial warrant process at Canada’s spy agency—an issue that made headlines last summer—stretch back at least nine years. Internal reviewers found several of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s preparatory steps for the execution of warrant powers needed strengthening. Among the shortcomings were insufficient training of personnel and a lack of quality−control measures. In underscoring the importance of the process, the report notes warrants are authorizations issued by a federal judge that enable CSIS to legally undertake actions, including surveilling people electronically, that would otherwise be illegal. “Failure to properly apply or interpret a warrant at the time of its execution exposes the Service to the risk of its employees committing unlawful actions, and in certain situations, criminal offences,” the report says. “The investigative powers outlined in warrants must be exercised rigorously, consistently and effectively.” Potential misuse of these powers could …