Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My understanding is that this requested change would create a massive security loophole. This amendment seeks to narrow the scope of security orders so that they only apply to telecommunications service providers or the persons directly responsible for the security of services.
This is described as having a dramatic and detrimental impact on national security. Specifically, it would technically prevent the government from using Bill C-8 to enforce the 2022 policy statement, which allows for the prohibition of equipment and services from high-risk providers such as Huawei in Canadian networks.
I would like to ask the experts' opinion. Given that modern cyber-threats often exploit vulnerabilities within the global supply chain, could you please explain to us the technical risk to Canada's national security if this amendment prevents the government from issuing orders against third party, high-risk vendors that are not telecommunications service providers? Would this not effectively strip the government of its power to enforce the 2022 policy statement regarding the ban of equipment and services from providers such as Huawei?