Privacy  Mr. Speaker, all personal information will be removed. The members opposite know that. The members opposite also know there have been no breaches when it comes to Statistics Canada's server. The problem is that the members opposite just do not trust Statistics Canada. They do not like good-quality, reliable data.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, Canadians understand the importance of privacy. They understand the importance of data protection. They also understand the importance of good-quality, reliable data. This data that is under process under the pilot project, for example, could help the Bank of Canada look at how to make monetary decisions around interest rate policy.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, not one single breach of any information is on the servers. The members opposite again are over the top with their rhetoric. They are over the top when it comes to fearmongering and to misleading Canadians. They fundamentally do not believe in good-quality reliable data.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear about our concerns around privacy and data protection. That is why our government introduced new regulations when it comes to PIPEDA, to further strengthen privacy. That is why we are actually engaged with Canadians around further data protection.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, we already had this debate in 2015, when the members opposite said they wanted to make the long-form census voluntary. That resulted in 1,128 communities not receiving good-quality, reliable data. That impacted communities, businesses and Canadians right across this country.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, this is pretty ordinary behaviour from the members opposite. That is Stephen Harper's party, and it is about fearmongering, about going over the top with rhetoric, about scare tactics. The Conservatives fail to disclose to Canadians that first, all the personal information is removed from any information that Statistics Canada collects.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight for the member opposite that our government has been very clear that data protection and protecting the privacy of Canadians are very important. I also want to highlight that this particular initiative undertaken by Statistics Canada is a pilot project.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, we recognize the concern that Canadians have around privacy and around data protection, but what is really problematic is the over-the-top rhetoric by the members opposite. Let me give an example. Under section 17(1) of the Statistics Act, no police, RCMP or CRA official can actually access any personal information.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, our government takes Canadians' privacy very seriously. Let me be clear. This is a pilot project that is still in development. No information has been collected. Statistics Canada is working with the Privacy Commissioner.

Pensions  Mr. Speaker, the member opposite's very thoughtful question is on an issue that we also think is very important. We support retirement security. That is why we strengthened the CPP, the Canadian pension plan. We also expanded the wage earner protection program. As the member also highlighted, in our 2018 budget, we put a whole-of-government approach when it comes to dealing with pensions in a meaningful way.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, again, all the appropriate processes were followed. Statistics Canada makes routine requests. It has clear, robust provisions in place to protect privacy, to protect data, to make sure it is anonymized. It has clear processes in place. Members opposite fundamentally have an issue when it comes to data, because they do not believe in the facts.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear, when it comes to privacy and data, that we will continue to make sure that the processes are followed to protect consent and issues of privacy. What I find very interesting is the members opposite continue to undermine and attack Statistics Canada.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear. We understand the importance of protecting individual privacy and data. Again, I fail to understand why the members opposite continue to undermine a statistical agency that is revered by Canadians. Well over 80% of Canadians respect Statistics Canada.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, again, listen to them: “Data has been stolen”. No data has been stolen. Information has been requested. Statistics Canada makes sure that it follows a process, which is very rigorous and very robust when it comes to making sure it protects privacy and data. It has also engaged the Privacy Commissioner.

Privacy  Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. Our government understands the importance of protecting privacy and protecting data. That is why we have engaged in a data and digital consultation process to further build more trust with Canadians when it comes to their data. Our government understands why it is important to make sure that, in a digital economy when transactions occur online, people have an understanding about privacy, consent, data ownership and data portability.