As you know, we are in partnership with our colleagues in the United States and Europe. Bill C‑34 includes a provision that will enable us to exchange information with our colleagues and allies around the world.
It's an important provision, because of what we can see happening today in terms of development. For example, state or non-state stakeholders could purchase part of a technology in one country and another part in a different country and end up with a dual purpose product, meaning both military and civilian, that could eventually prove harmful to Canada's national security.
From that standpoint, the provision in the act that allows for the exchange of information with our partners is important for the protection of national security. As you know, I was at one point the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the years, I encountered instances of companies purchasing components in various countries, a practice that enabled them to eventually make a particular product. Unless we exchange information with our allies, including the Five Eyes, things like that could take place under the radar.
This provision in the bill is essential because it will enable us to work more effectively with our partners. Given how quickly quantum technologies and advanced digital technologies are developing today, we need to be able to exchange information with our American, British, Australian and New Zealand partners when we carry out a national security study, to ensure that we understand all the repercussions.