Mr. Chair, PV-2 and PV-3 are very similar except that PV-2 refers to duties and functions and PV-3 refers to investigations.
These two proposed subclauses in the bill widen the possibility for cooperation with other intelligence services by adding “within or outside Canada”. Our amendment seeks to ensure that this information was obtained without torture, since Canada has signed and ratified the UN Convention against Torture.
It's not only our opinion, but Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien, who asked to appear before this committee and was not invited, wrote in his letter, “My Office is concerned with the adequacy of existing safeguards to ensure against the risk of such violations, including the risk of torture.” We agree with the Privacy Commissioner.
We think this clarification, with an underscoring of the importance to be consistent with what we have already agreed to, should be in here.