Thank you, Chair.
This is the longest amendment of the package that I've prepared, and it's because the gap is large and the risk is large.
I note that though there are no line conflicts, I appreciate that, as in other cases, a number of us are trying to get to the same end from different places. Much further in the package, BQ-12 and CPC-45 try to get at the same policy objective. The language here is carefully worked out based on briefs that were received by the committee, particularly from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Citizen Lab.
The concern—and this week, as we know, we disagree with some of the advice from our experts here at the table—is that the expansion of the Communications Security Establishment's ability to access personal data is made possible under Bill C-8. It is concerning. It is not sufficiently restricted in how personal data obtained through these provisions can be used for purposes unrelated to cybersecurity. The concern has been mentioned before about how they can be used in foreign intelligence and criminal investigations. It constitutes a significant expansion of the government's ability and capability to investigate these concerns, and the use of personal data obtained through provisions in Bill C-8 must be strictly limited to only cybersecurity provisions.
It's for those reasons that PV-9, the Green Party's ninth amendment, as you look at it, is long. It's long because it sets out in detail, in a workable format, how to ensure that the legislation functions and is clear. I won't read the whole thing, Mr. Chair, obviously, but it reads:
(1) The Communications Security Establishment shall not carry out any activity under this Act in relation to the security of the Canadian telecommunications system except in accordance with an authorization issued under subsection (2).
That is also new and in this amendment.
(2) The Minister may issue an authorization to the Communications Security Establishment that authorizes it to carry out an activity specified in the authorization only if the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that
(a) the activity is reasonable and proportionate
It goes on.
It's a very strong set of guardrails. It doesn't get in the way of cybersecurity, but it does ensure that the door that's opened by Bill C-8 doesn't lead to abuse of personal information and abuses that Canadians and so many witnesses have raised with this committee.
In case anyone's keeping track, none of my amendments have passed yet, so I'll go for the sympathy vote and see if we can get this one in.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.