Thank you for having us here. This is a very important piece of legislation. It's also very important that we look at it in the context of things that have been happening, as it winds its way through the legislative process. Since the Senate hearings, we have had the Spencer decision by the Supreme Court of Canada. We have also had the report from the special legislative committee looking at PIPA in B.C. These are new developments. They are bringing information to you that you probably will want to look at.
We're also encouraged by the fact that the government has seen fit to bring this legislation to this committee before second reading. I think that shows that the government is in fact open to a wider array of amendments than before, than there would normally be in the course of the legislative process, which is important for the committee to keep in mind.
Furthermore, there will be a federal election later this year and, as you're looking at how companies deal with our personal information, Canadians will be asking questions about how their political parties are dealing with the personal information they store, collect, use, and disclose. It is important that you do that. Bringing the parties under PIPEDA, in whatever form the legislation is ultimately amended, would be a major improvement. I urge you to do that.
Thank you.