Thank you, Mr. Fortin, Mr. Motz and Mr. Green.
Just to clarify one component, the aspects included in paragraphs (d) and (e) refer to section 4.1 of the Department of Justice Act. Section 4.1 of the act contains the requirement for the Minister of Justice to ensure that bills, statutes, regulations, etc. that are being enacted by the government are charter compliant. From my perspective—and I believe this is shared by the members of this committee—when you're looking at charter compliance, you are looking at.... I know the word “analysis” is used in the text Mr. Motz has drafted. When you're dealing with charter compliance, of necessity you're going to be looking at legal advice as to whether something is onside or offside of the charter, thus triggering concerns about solicitor-client privilege.
I just want to make it crystal clear that what we're talking about here is only solicitor-client privilege. Previously, in a different intervention, I mentioned things like cabinet confidence, but this is not about cabinet confidence, and it's certainly not about the notion of Crown privilege, which is a more generalized notion.
I just wanted to put that out there.
Thank you.