Public Safety committee  I think the point you make about a broader, if you will, inter-agency review mechanism is one that certainly Mr. Justice O'Connor has recommended. And as the minister indicated earlier, the government has been doing work on that. He is awaiting the results of the Major inquiry.

Public Safety committee  Well, there will be, I presume.

Public Safety committee  As a general matter of policy in our service, we do not make public comments on issues that are in litigation.

Public Safety committee  No, I think the issue is a broader policy issue for us, sir. It is highly inappropriate for us to comment on a matter that is in litigation, be it civil or criminal, while the litigation is still—

Public Safety committee  I won't speak for Mr. Zaccardelli.

Public Safety committee  It's none of your business, sir.

Public Safety committee  If I could, sir, I would point out that one of the cardinal principles of public service is that one does not contradict the minister before a parliamentary committee. The minister has already spoken to the issue.

Public Safety committee  Which apology are you talking...?

Public Safety committee  I believe the Prime Minister's apology took place after the settlement of the litigation. I'm not sure. I'm going on my memory.

Public Safety committee  I'm not sure that those questions are currently asked—

Public Safety committee  I'm not sure I would agree with the comment. In order to authorize any intrusive activity our agency might need to direct against Canadian citizens or residents of Canada, we must first to go to Federal Court to get a warrant. The warrant itself is reviewed by independent counsel

Public Safety committee  Hypothetically speaking and practically speaking, I don't engage in hypothetical answers to hypothetical questions.

Public Safety committee  In the early part of this decade, 2002, 2003, I think, yes.

Public Safety committee  Yes. As I indicated earlier in my comments, we have implemented all of the recommendations in Mr. Justice O'Connor's inquiry, a number of which dealt with information-sharing internationally. A number of other changes have been made in our policies and our ministerial directives,

Public Safety committee  I have two comments, sir. First of all, to clarify, Mr. O'Brian is not our legal adviser. He works on legislative issues. But legal counsel is provided by the Department of Justice, which has a large office of lawyers working in the service. With respect to the issue of confide