Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Beatty, we've all read your previous public statements on this issue. I imagine you did the same to help you refresh your memory.
On November 16, 1987, you gave a speech in the House of Commons, at second reading of the bill. Here is part of what you said:
Unlike the War Measures Act, part II of Bill C‑77 confers no new powers relating to search, seizure, arrest or detention. The provisions of the Criminal Code in these areas are considered to be entirely adequate to deal with the instigators of public disorder, even under unusual and exceptional circumstances.
It must have surprised you, then, that the government used the Emergencies Act to seize people's bank accounts. According to you, it was clear that the legislation did not give the government any new powers and that the Criminal Code should be used when searches needed to be performed. Isn't that right?