Thank you, Minister.
In your remarks you said something similar to “not as clearly outlined in the CSIS Act as it should be”. I think everyone in this committee recalls, and I've mentioned it many times in conversations and in the House, that the CSIS Act was first passed way back in 1984. This is actually 30 years ago. This is why we're really here today. CSIS has been operating and communicating with our Five Eyes partners and operating outside of Canada, and all of a sudden the courts have called that into question because the CSIS Act doesn't clearly indicate it has the power and the ability to do so.
When we talk about terrorism in Canada, I think most Canadians would agree that the Toronto 18 was something we had not heard about before in Canada. We also experienced, more recently, the VIA Rail plot. Now we have seen issues of individuals being radicalized, going overseas, and receiving training overseas with the potential to come back here and cause even greater damage and assault against Canadians in our country within our borders. In reality, terrorism knows no borders.
When I think about this bill, Minister, my greatest concern is that CSIS must absolutely have the ability to operate overseas. Without that, it would be working with both hands tied behind its back.
Would you agree with that statement?