A government entity's use of spyware raises privacy concerns right off the bat. That doesn't mean that it won't be allowed in situations where it's appropriate. As I said earlier, privacy is not an obstacle to the public interest, but it always has to be taken into account. Privacy is a fundamental right and needs to be taken into account. It's a matter of human dignity.
You're right about how quickly technology is moving, and tools are becoming more and more sophisticated. This isn't the same as just intercepting a conversation on a landline; smart phones hold a wealth of information.
The approach we advocate is taking privacy into account from the get‑go, especially given the potential for technologies to be more and more privacy-intrusive. Also important is the ability to properly weigh the risks and the necessity of using the tool.
My office and this committee recommended necessity and proportionality as criteria. That is not to say that the tool can't be used. Perhaps it can. Perhaps, in this case, that balance was achieved, but it's important to make sure. Those checks and balances not only protect privacy, but they also reassure Canadians that privacy is being respected.