Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Madam Commissioner, for being with us today. Your report indicates that you are worried about the quantity of information, of data that are being kept without citizens' consent. Perhaps you know that your jurisdiction is currently being questioned with regard to frequent flyer client loyalty programs, plans such as Aeroplan.
On page 39 of your report, you mention that there are an increasing number of requirements on the part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security which coordinates the USA Patriot Act. Under this legislation, businesses such as Aeroplan, whose head office is housed in Montreal, are required to transfer information from their database on people who have Aeroplan cards, when they communicate using USA telecommunications systems. Are you aware of this problem? How do you intend to approach this?
I think that the authorities involved are going to have to be redefined, that is to say who is allowed to transfer what and how citizens are informed. I am sure that a lot of people who have Aeroplan cards today don't know that when they travel in the United States, their personal data are transferred to that country. Has this problem been brought to your attention?