Evidence of meeting #32 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was data.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Mr. Cappe, with all due respect, you've had lots of time. We're going to let some of the other people have a chance.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Mr. Henderson has the floor right now. If he has anything to add, he can, and then we're going to go to Mr. Lam.
As an Individual
I'd like to know just a little more what you meant by the question.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Statistics Canada gathers this information. There are groups that want access to it. They buy that information. How would you feel if you knew while you were filling it out that this was part of the process?
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Of your friends and associates, are you alone when you believe that fines and jail are excessive?
Mr. Chair, can I get a little bit of order?
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Order.
Members of the committee, the witnesses are having trouble hearing the questions being put by Mr. Van Kesteren. I would ask that only those members and witnesses present recognized by the chair respond in this committee. Mr. Van Kesteren currently has the floor.
Go ahead, Mr. Van Kesteren.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Mr. Henderson, among your friends and associates, are you alone in your belief that threatening fines and jail time is excessive for gathering that information? Are you alone in those feelings?
As an Individual
I don't know if I'm alone or not. That's my feeling.
And it has been suggested that 30 minutes is the amount of time I need to fill out this form. It's more like three or four days. I don't think there's an awareness of what this form entails.
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Okay, that's an interesting point. I'm not going to have enough time to go to that.
To go back to what I first stated, I suggested that if you give people the opportunity to do this without any threat of jail time or fines, if you engage Canadians....
Well, let me ask you the question: Would you wilfully submit this information if you were given that opportunity?
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
It would just take you a little longer.
Did you know, for instance, when a census worker interviews you, he records your approximate height, your weight, and your hair colour as part of a follow-up process?
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Have you ever written to the Privacy Commissioner about these concerns, or have you ever thought about doing that? Did you know you could do that?
Conservative
Dave Van Kesteren Conservative Chatham-Kent—Essex, ON
Would you probably agree that most Canadians don't realize they have the opportunity to do that?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Mr. Van Kesteren, you have a little time left. I don't know if you want to hear also from Mr. Lam.
Conservative