Thank you, Chair.
I think it's reasonable. We all agree that most witnesses who testified in front of the committee also raised concerns that the threshold for making a demand was unfortunately reviewed at the lowest threshold.
In listening to the Canadian Bar Association, but also other numerous witnesses, including Michael Geist to name one, they were particularly concerned that the government would want to lower the threshold for obtaining lawful access to information.
I would expect the government to understand that the wording “reasonable grounds to believe” would be more appropriate in the kind of situation where very personal information would be obtained by law officers. As the government just refused our amendment regarding public officers, if they want to make it available for any public officer to have access to the personal information of Canadians, then I think the threshold should be reasonable grounds to believe and not reasonable grounds to suspect. Most of the witnesses have testified that this should be the threshold in the law.
I want to hear what the government has to say.
I would like to hear what the government representatives have to say about this kind of intrusion into Canadians' privacy and personal information.
I would like to hear a representative of the government party speak to this amendment.