Thank you, Mr. Chair.
A lot of the data we're talking about her was indeed available on Google, for example. Some governments, including Quebec's, have used Google data, among others. However, the government is not Google and we could level a lot of criticism on that organization. I repeat, in my opinion, Health Canada is looking to use the data in an acceptable way and its aim is true.
However, I have concerns about how it is being done. They are using a private company outside of government. I'm one of those people who hopes the pandemic will end sooner, and if Health Canada can help with that, that's obviously a good thing. On the other hand, I'm hearing about aggregated and de-identified data, while people are telling us that it's relatively easy to re-personalize the data.
Some things are hard to understand and I will go back to my initial statement. We need to understand the situation, that is, we need to see the big picture and allow Canadians to see it as well. Right now, we don't understand how the data is being used, and once data is leaked it's too late. In other words, the toothpaste is out of the tube. Just ask Edward Snowden.
I will sum up in a few words: I believe that Health Canada has a worthy objective and I don't want to cancel the request for proposals. However, I do believe that, in some cases, we need to take the time to look into the situation.
As Mr. Fergus said, if everything is in order, great. The goal is not to work against anyone. Having said that, I thought it was odd that the request for proposals was issued on December 17 and the closing date is January 21, when the House is not sitting. Mr. Brassard pointed out a coincidence earlier: the closing date for the tender was moved up yesterday. It's hard not to see a causal connection there.
Nonetheless, I won't make allegations or jump to hasty conclusions or conclusions that cannot be linked. I do, however, ask the committee to have the wisdom to consent to the motion, which will allow us to take our time and not be pressured by a timeline that we did not set ourselves.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.