Evidence of meeting #20 for Public Safety and National Security in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was c-8.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Sukhman Gill Conservative Abbotsford—South Langley, BC
I want to highlight the importance of this question.
When telecom operations or data are handled outside Canada, they are subject to foreign laws and governments. How does the department see this affecting privacy, data protection and national security risks, especially given the objectives that you guys are bringing forward with Bill C-8?
Director General, Telecommunications and Internet Policy Branch, Department of Industry
Bill C-8 is concerned with the management of telecommunications networks and services and allows for action to manage those instances.
In terms of the handling of personal information, there's a set of existing requirements under PIPEDA, but I also know Minister Solomon has plans to improve those, and there will be more to come in due course on privacy reform.
Conservative
Sukhman Gill Conservative Abbotsford—South Langley, BC
Okay.
Right now, the Telecommunications Act and policy direction to CRTC prioritize competition, affordability and innovation. Employment in Canada, data sovereignty and system-wide network security aren't explicit objectives. Does the department see a gap, particularly in Bill C-8, in trying to improve these telecom securities?
Director General, Telecommunications and Internet Policy Branch, Department of Industry
Certainly the government's 2023 policy direction does not get into questions of security, in part because it was made pursuant to the Telecommunications Act, and those considerations did not exist in the Telecommunications Act at that time. However, that is part of the raison d'être of adding the protection of the Canadian telecom system to the policy objectives of proposed section 7 in Bill C-8 and establishing a legal framework by which the government can actually take legal action to protect telecommunications infrastructure.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
Thank you.
I'm sorry, Mr. Gill. Again, I'm being rude because that's all the time we have for this intervention.
Let me thank both of you, Mr. Arbour and Mr. Kwan, for your presence today and for the hard work.
Let me also take advantage, which perhaps I'm not supposed to do from a procedural perspective, and signal that behind you there is a lady, Shawna Khamis, who is a student in law at the University of Ottawa, who is working with the analysts and one day might be sitting on this side of the room. Who knows?
Thank you, Ms. Khamis, for your early interest in law and politics.
Mr. Ramsay.
January 27th, 2026 / 5:35 p.m.
Liberal
Jacques Ramsay Liberal La Prairie—Atateken, QC
Mr. Chair, I just want to let you know you that there may have been discussions among the parties, either at the Standing Committee on Finance or with the leaders. I hope to get unanimous consent from the committee to adopt the following motion, in relation to Bill C‑15:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study of the subject matter of Bill C‑15, specifically clause 371 (Division 19), and clauses 380 to 385 (Division 21); that it invite the Minister of Public Safety for one hour, followed by the National Police Federation for one hour to appear by Friday, February 13, 2026; and, that it forward any recommendations or suggested amendments to the Standing Committee on Finance by Thursday, February 26, 2026.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. As you know, we need unanimous consent to be able to discuss this motion.
Is there unanimous consent?
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Can we be assured that the clerk will forward what we decide to the Standing Committee on Finance before February 4?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
Yes. We'll look into that. If the motion is adopted, we will indeed have to make sure that the decision is sent.
Is there any further discussion on this motion? Seeing none, I guess it's adopted.
(Motion agreed to)
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
I will take a few seconds to quickly talk about what's coming.
On January 29, we will not be sitting, as the House schedule has been changed. On February 3, February 5 and February 10, we will be doing a clause-by-clause study on Bill C‑8. On February 12, we will most likely follow up on the motion that was just adopted. February 17 and February 19 will be constituency days.
With that, thank you.
Bloc
Claude DeBellefeuille Bloc Beauharnois—Salaberry—Soulanges—Huntingdon, QC
Mr. Chair, I'd like to say something quickly.
Could you ask the clerk to get in-person interpretation for the clause-by-clause study? That would really help me keep up with the pace of the debate on the amendments.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Jean-Yves Duclos
You're asking with a lot of sincerity and a big smile. I think the clerk will be charmed by your request and will follow up.
Thank you and have a good evening.
(The committee adjourned)