Okay, wonderful. I'd like to introduce the motion that I discussed earlier. I can restate it for the benefit of the members, if you like.
That the Committee write to the Minister of Justice to express its desire for a more comprehensive response of its tenth report, entitled “The Privacy Act: First Steps Towards A Renewal”. Specifically, the Committee requests that the Minister address each recommendation made individually, and provide the background for his caution and concerns. The Committee further requests the Minister does so expediently so that the work in this area can continue to be undertaken without delay.
That's the end of the motion.
In your letter to the minister, Mr. Chair, I would suggest it's entirely reasonable for the chair to add an interpretation of what you consider is meant by “expediently”, and what delay could be caused. I think if you were to suggest that you think it's reasonable that you'd receive a response after the Christmas break, you could reasonably conclude that it was an expedient response.
I think this response would form the basis for further review by the committee, and potentially an appearance by the minister. But I do think understanding, first of all, what are the specific concerns on each recommendation is entirely reasonable for the committee members to want to know, and I think once you receive that, you can then determine, ultimately, what the next steps are for the committee. But I think the response will hopefully provide the background for you to understand what the next steps would be.
That's the motion I put before the committee. I think it reflects goodwill.