Evidence of meeting #26 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rights.
A video is available from Parliament.
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
I have given you my views on several aspects of Bill C-13.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
So, if you were in office, you would like to appear during the study of Bill C-13.
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
Yes, along with my officials.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
The privacy commissioners of three provinces wrote to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Mr. Wallace, to ask him to take a break in the study of Bill C-13.
If that was done—and depending of how long that break would be—you could appear yourself.
Do you agree with your provincial colleagues to put the study on hold?
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
I would say that I do. That's in line with what I said a bit earlier, to the effect that the bill should be divided and that a comprehensive study should be carried out on the privacy issues covered in the bill.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
Thank you very much. You answered my question.
You were the Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Public Safety, Defence and Immigration Portfolio. Those three departments are trying to obtain personal data and information on Canadians.
In your capacity as Assistant Deputy Attorney General, were you asked to provide your opinion and advice regarding Bill C-30 introduced by Minister Toews?
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
No. That advice was provided by a legal service that comes under my jurisdiction, but not directly by me.
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
Okay.
You are talking about Canadians' rights, but also about human rights in general. I have no reason to doubt your sincerity. However, in the performance of your duties, you had to deal with those rights, more specifically when it comes to the North American security parameter.
I am wondering whether, after having been part of the process, you now have any concerns in terms of Canadians' human rights and privacy, given the relationship between the United States and Canada in the context of the security parameter.
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
Information sharing with any countries always implies some risks.
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
Absolutely not.
NDP
Mathieu Ravignat NDP Pontiac, QC
So you basically feel that Canadians' privacy is not jeopardized by that security perimeter.
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
I think that adequate measures have been taken, especially under privacy principles, to protect Canadians' privacy.
NDP
The Chair NDP Pat Martin
I have to interrupt you there, Mr. Ravignat. Thank you. That concludes your time.
Next we're going to the Conservatives and Mr. Paul Calandra.
Five minutes, please.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Sorry, Mr. Therrien, but I just want to drill back into your career and your qualifications a bit. You were called to the bar when?
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
In 1981.
Conservative
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
The Quebec bar.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
Is that when you started your career in the public service? In 1981?
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
Yes, I did. I've spent almost all of my career in the Department of Justice, short of a year or two at Citizenship and Immigration as director general of refugees.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
Back in 1981, where exactly were you in the Department of Justice? What were you doing? Do you remember?
Nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner of Canada, As an Individual
I spent roughly 10 years in my career in the correctional law area, advising the then Solicitor General's department, the penitentiary service, and the national parole board.
Then I worked for more than 10 years in the immigration area and, for the last nine years, in public safety and national security.