Evidence of meeting #36 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was information.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:10 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Gaudet Bloc Montcalm, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have two or three brief questions. I'm going to put my first question to Mr. Tassé, who is at the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.
When the Americans decided on this program, did you complain to the U.S. Congress or Senate?
12:10 p.m.
National Coordinator, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
We are a Canadian organization. Secure Flight has been put in place in the United States solely for the United States, for the moment. We therefore did not intervene in the United States. The answer is no.
12:10 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Gaudet Bloc Montcalm, QC
So no one talked to the Americans when they put their program in place?
12:10 p.m.
National Coordinator, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
The American Civil Liberties Union is currently challenging Secure Flight in the United States within its own borders.
12:10 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Gaudet Bloc Montcalm, QC
I have another question. Do you think Canada has a list of malefactors, like that of the Americans?
12:10 p.m.
National Coordinator, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
The airlines currently have the list. They're the ones doing the surveillance.
12:10 p.m.
National Coordinator, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
Yes, the Canadian airlines—Air Canada, for example. That's why they have not yet had to send the information to the United States, since they have the list. With Secure Flight, they won't have the list any more. They'll have to send passenger information to the Department of Homeland Security in the United States. It's the Department of Homeland Security that gives directives to the airlines, that determines whether such and such an individual may board the aircraft. Legally, this is the first time we're sending this information to the United States.
We also have a number of examples of people who have previously been intercepted in Canada, even on domestic flights, and who were told that they were on the U.S. list. So Air Canada is probably already sending information illegally to the United States, even though this bill has not yet been passed.
12:10 p.m.
Bloc
Roger Gaudet Bloc Montcalm, QC
Have you met the Europeans to discuss their decision? They don't seem to be much in agreement on this bill with regard to the American Secure Flight policy.
12:10 p.m.
National Coordinator, International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
We haven't met with the U.S. government. However, we have partners in the civil liberties field with whom we constantly speak. There is considerable objection in Europe, even in the European Parliament. There is a lot of concern.
Earlier, in the same connection, I said that, if Canada developed a partnership with the Europeans, there would be a real chance that we could bring pressure to bear on the United States—not alone, but with international partners.
12:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brian Jean Conservative Fort McMurray—Athabasca, AB
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the witnesses for coming today. I'm very interested in what you have to say.
I have had an opportunity to listen to what you said. You talked about rights, that mobility around the world is a right, and sovereignty. You also mentioned the right to mobility, the right to fly, that fundamental justice is infringed upon, that the rights of Canadians are violated, that there's no form of redress, that it violates aspects of international law and fundamental freedoms, and that the rights of Canadians are violated.
I mean, wow, that's amazing what you're saying, but I don't agree with you.
I'm a lawyer, and I notice, Ms. Vonn, that you're a lawyer. You were called to the bar in B.C. in 2004?
12:15 p.m.
Policy Director, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
That's a six-and-a-half-year call. I believe so, yes.
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
12:15 p.m.
Policy Director, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
I practised for a very short time in union side labour law before I joined the B.C. Civil Liberties Association as the policy director.
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
12:15 p.m.
Policy Director, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
Probably six months.
12:15 p.m.
Conservative
12:15 p.m.
Policy Director, British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
I certainly did not, but--
