Much of the information we seek is information that is very basic, and it's on general inquiries. It's not that we seek the core personal information of individuals. The information we are discussing in relation to PIPEDA is more basic information.
By way of an example, if there was a serious crime that happened in a hotel and when we arrived there was a dead body in the hotel, if it was on a street, we would go to the neighbours and see if they'd heard anything. So in that inquiry we would go to the hotel management and ask, can you tell me who was in each room, and did you hear anything? That information would not be considered by us, or generally by Canadians at large, as being protected under our charter, protected core information.
So it is that type of information we are discussing, as opposed to the information that is personal that we might need for an investigation. For information that is more personal, we utilize other mechanisms and tools to do that.
It has been my experience across Canada that the public and private sectors want to help; they want to get involved. All they are looking for is a mechanism that will allow them to provide us that very basic information. I can say who was in that room or I can not. What we're seeking is just some clarity so that they know they can be protected. We will be accountable for what we do with that information. It's just the information to protect those people.
Does that help?