It's not unlimited power, no.
You have to remember that a parliament, a legislature, a government can do whatever they want. I opposed PharmaNet in British Columbia. Glen Clark and his government did it. That's perfectly acceptable. No one is trying to make these privacy watchdogs have absolute power of any sort. But I want them listened to. That's the strongest argument I have. In the federal government, the Privacy Commissioner's office is not being adequately listened to. I know that because I do consulting work for these organizations. I know what's going on. And it's not good from a privacy protection point of view.