The discussion by Mr. Harris and our previous discussion about SIRC has raised a couple of questions in my mind.
I note that you have confirmed that your policies do not permit the transfer of individuals for the purpose of interrogation by unlawful means. I'm just concerned.
I'm not trying to put Mr. Rae on the spot here, but here we are with SIRC.... He was with SIRC from 1998 to 2003.
You were collecting information from 2002 to 2007, so there's obviously an overlap there. I would think that Mr. Rae would be interested in possibly verifying the kind of position...when we receive information from an organization like SIRC. You have said in your testimony that your activities are also subject to the full review of the Security Intelligence Review Committee, SIRC, and the inspector general of CSIS, both of which report regularly on the activities, either to Parliament, in the case of SIRC, or to the Minister of Public Safety, in the case of the inspector general.
I would really think that with the verification, particularly, of somebody who sat on SIRC, the veracity of the kind of information you're giving to us would be of the highest possible value to this committee. We have received an opinion by the previous witness and we've received an opinion by Mr. Colvin and others--and they have been valid opinions, I'm sure. To put that opinion on the same level as someone like yourself, testifying on behalf of CSIS, particularly with the support you have, the absolute total control of the Canadian people through SIRC and through the inspector general.... This is of the highest value.
I just wanted to make a comment. I find it a little frustrating that when we receive opinion from people, which is totally valid opinion, that's fine...but then we have a tendency, or some people in this room have a tendency, to take that opinion and not put your position at a significantly higher place. I just wanted to underscore that, because I think the comment, the testimony, that we have received from generals, from the chief of staff, and from generals who have been on the spot, from top civil servants who have years and years and years of history and training and dedication to our great nation, has never received the value against the other testimony and opinions of other people. I simply wanted to put that on the record.
My friend Mr. Obhrai has some good questions for you, but I did want to make that statement. I don't know that you would necessarily want to comment on my statement, but you're welcome to, I'm sure. I did want to put that on the record. It is not a question of equal value to testimony. Your testimony and the testimony of people like the generals, in my judgment, is of a significantly higher value and carries far more weight.
Thank you.