Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I'm subbing in for MP Don Davies.
Thank you for the opportunity for me to speak to the issue here.
With respect to the amendment, it is my understanding that through the last round of requests, when a similar request was made through the committee, much of the information did come back redacted. I think that is of concern if we are trying to access information and share information with the public.
On the issue of privacy in terms of names, phone numbers, emails and so on, it is certainly the case with other committees, in my experience, that the privacy component can address those issues in terms of ensuring that people's privacy is respected. I'm wondering whether it is the department officials who should be doing that work or whether it should be done elsewhere, with respect to the privacy component.
The other two aspects that I know other committees look at, in terms of the sharing of information, deal with national security and cabinet confidentiality. Those are the only two other aspects that would apply, so I'm not quite sure if the language of this amendment is referring to that normal process in that regard or if we are talking about something greater. Since this language was used before, with previous requests for information, and much material came back redacted, it would be hard to imagine that all of that stuff has to do with people's privacy in terms of the name and contact information.
I want to highlight that and urge Ms. Sidhu to reconsider this aspect, because if this amendment proceeds in the way it has previously, then I think it defeats the purpose of ensuring that information is made public and accountable to the public.