Thank you very much, Chair.
I'd like to thank my colleague Andrew for allowing me to go first. I have to go after this.
First of all, I'd like to say, Madame El-Fouli, that your testimony was heard. We realize it is very difficult for you. What happens to one individual happens to the friends and family around him, particularly the wife and children, the mother, the immediate family. We have a great deal of sympathy for what you're going through.
That is the personal message I would like to send you.
If you don’t mind, I would like to ask a question that doesn’t involve a specific case.
I am opposed to secret trials and security certificates. However, I’m wondering what we can do when we believe an individual has broken a Canadian law related to security. How do we ensure that there truly is a threat or the possibility of a threat to security? This is the role of the security forces, but it is also our role as Members of Parliament. How can we protect the rights and freedoms of people like Mr. El-Fouli, whose wife is here testifying before us, and those of others who are currently being detained? It doesn’t matter whether they’re Canadian citizens or not, they are human beings. We already provide protection for some refugees.
I am asking each one of you this question. In my past work with NGOs, I noticed that it was these organizations that asked the questions, but that often the people responsible for these questions didn’t provide all the answers, but only part of the answers. That is why I am asking you this question. I don’t want you to feel attacked or that, in the end, it’s up to you to solve the problem. Rather, I believe that because you have faced these questions day and night, you may have part of the solution to offer to help us find a balance that satisfies one group while respecting the rights of the other.
I direct this question to anyone who can answer it.