Thank you very much.
In making my presentation here today, I didn't mean to suggest that we didn't value the work of the Information Commissioner. We do so, and we value it very much.
There are shortcomings with respect to his recommendations—I think shortcomings that he recognized himself, in saying that he hadn't had the opportunity to consult quite as extensively as he would have liked. So in my address to you at the committee today, I simply pointed out some of the concerns we have. I could go through the report of the Information Commissioner and the work he has done and point out all the good things he has done as well, but in fact that's not my role here today. I want to point out specific concerns or issues that I think need further analysis before we can come out with legislation.
I consider this act to be much more than simply a government bill. This will affect the way the House does business for generations to come. Therefore, rather than simply have the government come with a specific bill—which may be seen to be partisan in some respect—we feel there is an important aspect for the committee to play here. That's why we chose to go the way we did.
So have we identified certain concerns? Yes, we have. Is there a good basis on which to build? Absolutely, there is a good basis on which to build.
But I think this committee needs to do some of the work that the commissioner admitted he simply didn't have the time to complete.