Mr. Chair, I'm sure Madam May has followed the testimony at this committee quite closely, and she will know that the point was made on many occasions that this provision simply codifies the existing jurisprudence on this point. With respect to section 25 of the Criminal Code, the motion proposes to delete an existing clarification that voluntary assistance under the common law is not displaced by the creation of production orders and that such voluntary assistance is protected from civil and criminal liability.
In our view, deletion of this provision may undermine the comfort of the public in providing necessary voluntary assistance to police when they are engaged in the protection of the public.
You'll recall, Mr. Chair, that a number of witnesses, including those who have served as corporate counsel to media organizations, provided their opinion that in the absence of such a provision, they would be less likely to advise their clients to cooperate with law enforcement, and that is contrary to the purpose of this bill and this legislation.
Policing is not, as you know, Mr. Chair, done in a vacuum, and voluntary support to law enforcement from the public is essential to ensuring public safety, in our view. Canadians who assist the police on a voluntary basis should be assured that they will not incur liability in providing such assistance.
On that basis, we will be opposing this amendment.