Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  I'll just conclude the overview of our position in one minute.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  I think it's dramatically important that we ensure that digital locks do not trump fair dealing rights; particularly, we consider that Canadians have to protect their privacy on the Internet, and we should be concerned to ensure that the privacy protection occurs throughout the bill and gives Canadians that possibility.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  We're concerned that copyright reforms must fully comply with existing provisions. Although it contains exemptions to anti-circumventions to enable citizens to protect their own privacy, this can be rendered completely illusory because it does not allow people to sell the device that would protect their privacy.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  Yes, I think for us the extent to which there could be supervision and evaluation.... I would go a little further in evaluation now, but it should be a continuing evaluation. We have an evaluation of this bill at five years. Because technology moves very fast, I think that in some cases it may be useful to invite the Privacy Commissioner to do an assessment yearly or every two years to make sure that indeed Canadians are in a position to protect their privacy.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  Our recommendation is that, as it stands, it raises the prospect of it being interpreted a contrario. Because it specifies “for educational purposes”, you can download based on what would be an implied licence. If it says “print”, you can print. It does raise the prospect that outside the educational institutions, you could not do it.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  I would like to begin by thanking the committee for inviting the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to appear this morning to present its views. I will be as concise as possible so that everyone has a chance to be heard. Founded in 1964, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association is a national organization dedicated to the protection of civil liberties in Canada.

Public Safety committee  We didn't say that.

Public Safety committee  Obviously it is far better for Canadian society to have Criminal Code powers used appropriately. Police officers know how to make use of them because they know them well, the system knows them well and the guarantees work well in the context. Some mistakes have been made and there will be others but at least the system works in such a way as to provide enough guarantees of good results.

Public Safety committee  It is the view of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association that there is a great deal of work to be done in the area of accountability. We have seen it. Reports have consistently, systematically recommended improvements. There are two ways to look at the issue. We can say that it is important not to set aside the reports from public inquiries and insist that the recommendations be implemented as a priority, to give Canadians better value for money.

Public Safety committee  I think we should mention also that there were some successful prosecutions of terrorism before it occurred, in the Toronto 18, for example. So I think we have the evidence on the other side.

Public Safety committee  That's the reason for the sunset clause. When it expires, you evaluate the evidence you have in terms of the dangers the changes seek. I think it's no coincidence that at the same time as we are doing this exercise--and we should do it thoroughly, by looking at the evidence we have of abuses on one side and at the lack of these provisions....

Public Safety committee  Thank you very much. I want to thank the committee for having invited the Canadian Civil Liberties Association to appear. I will make the first part of my remarks in French and the second in English. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has existed since 1964. It has always worked to defend the rights and freedoms of Canadians.

Transport committee  Definitely. That's one of the issues. Furthermore, the information that supports access to the no-fly list, especially the American list, is sometimes obtained through torture. The entire process of the lists as instruments of protection against terrorism is at risk. The United Nations has appointed an ombudsman to review the list.

Transport committee  They certainly would be a good step. I think the question of assurances, which we do all the time—we request of the U.S., for example, that they not use the death penalty on someone and so on—with a view to complying with Canadian law, is appropriate in this context. In an international context in which we want to ensure that there is a possibility of fairness for travellers—and what we're talking about is fairness for travellers—that there be a movement to require some transparency about whether the assurances from the TSA....

Transport committee  Thank you for the advice. As I said, I think our position is quite clear that it is your responsibility to ensure that there is privacy protection in this legislation.