Currently, the commissioner of the CSE that I am produces an annual report through the Minister of National Defence, which, by law, must be tabled in both Houses of Parliament within a legislated time.
Given that, according to the new bill, it is the Prime Minister who recommends the appointment of the Intelligence Commissioner, I propose that a public report be submitted every year and that, in the same way as the Minister of National Defence does currently, the Prime Minister undertakes, by law, to table it before both Houses. In my opinion, there must be a public report. The bill does not mention anything about it.
What is the purpose of a public report? First, it emphasizes the commissioner's independence. Second, it is a matter of public trust. Not only the public, but parliamentarians and commentators, too, want to know what the Intelligence Commissioner is doing.