moved for leave to introduce Bill C-275, an act to amend the Privacy Act.
Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to vest the privacy commissioner with the power to determine whether personal information should be disclosed by a government institution under subsection 2(1) of the Privacy Act. The power is currently exercised by the head of such an institution, namely a cabinet minister.
This bill will ensure that ministers cannot hide behind the Privacy Act for political reasons.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)