Information & Ethics Committee on Jan. 31st, 2019

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Welcome, everybody.

Per the notice of meeting this is meeting 133 of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. The study is on the privacy of digital government services.

Today we have with us somebody we've had several times before, Daniel Therrien, Privacy Commissioner of Canada. We also have Gregory Smolynec, deputy commissioner, policy and promotion sector, and Lara Ives, executive director, policy, research and parliamentary affairs directorate.

Before I go to Mr. Therrien, I want to go to Mr. Kent quickly.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Colleagues, I hope I'll get unanimous consent on this. In light of yesterday's announcement by the Minister of Democratic Institutions of this new panel to screen advertising, messaging and reporting during the upcoming election, I'd like to suggest that we allocate at least one meeting to call representatives of some of the seven organizations that the minister said would be looking to screen acceptable reportage and advertising.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Mr. Angus.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

If I hear the suggestion correctly, I think it would be worth our while. As with all-party unanimous recommendations about protecting the electoral system, our committee brought forward recommendations. I think it's worth our having a view on this.

It seems to me that I'm looking at something that's probably much more fitted to a plan right now that deals with cybersecurity and cyber-threats, whereas what we've found in threats to elections are much more subtle. The manipulations might be harder to find.

It would be good to see if these representatives have looked at our work and we can question them on it. I would be very much in favour of that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Mr. Saini.

[Raj Saini, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

I don't mind, but I'd prefer a formal motion so at least I can think about exactly what you want and which organizations they are.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Sure.

[Raj Saini, Liberal, Kitchener Centre, ON]

We would absolutely entertain it.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

It's not required. I've moved it now. Let's vote on it now. If you see fit to defeat it, then we'll do a formal vote.

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Can you repeat the exact language?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

In light of the announcement made by the minister yesterday with regard to the special panel being created with representatives across—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

The security task force, I think it is.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

—the security task force, including Privy Council, CSIS—the seven organizations that were named.. We would invite them to find out exactly how they consider their new assignment, and perhaps give them a few weeks to get their heads around it. I assume they knew about it before the minister announced it yesterday, but it would be to have them talk about what they consider their mission to be, and how they'll carry it out.

The minister yesterday wasn't able to speak about where the red lines would be drawn in alerting Canadians to potential violation, or the intention of the panel, but I think it would be helpful, particularly given the work that we've done on this specifically for the past year.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Is it Raj next and then Charlie?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I have language for a motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Angus.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

It's, “That the committee invite the appointed security task force of the seven organizations”—we could name them—“to brief the committee on their role in protecting the integrity of the Canadian electoral system for the 2019 election.”

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Just to be clear, are you providing words for Mr. Kent?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Yes. He was explaining what he wanted, but I think what we want very simply is a briefing from the appointed security task force on their role and plan for protecting the integrity of Canada's electoral system.

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

Chair, I can give you the specific list now; the app has loaded: the Clerk of the Privy Council, the federal national security and intelligence adviser, the deputy minister of justice, the deputy minister of public safety, and the deputy minister of global affairs Canada. It's a pretty esteemed panel.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Ms. Fortier.

[Mona Fortier, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I would like to adjourn the debate on the motion and let the commissioner present.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

We're going to Mr. Therrien's testimony first, and then we'll come back to it after. Is that fine?

[Peter Kent, Conservative, Thornhill, ON]

The Liberals wish to seek guidance.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bob Zimmer]

Is that fair, Mr. Angus?