Public Safety committee  I think it's fair to say, Mr. Chairman, that the greatest expansions we've seen would have been in the Middle East and Africa, which is not to suggest we haven't done more elsewhere. But I was trying to answer your question.

Public Safety committee  I'll take that, if I can. I do understand that at the time, between now and when the act was enacted, there was some discussion as to whether or not it was clear enough. I think there's no discussion whatsoever of that now. As I was trying to say in my opening remarks, the authority to conduct security intelligence operations is not limited to Canada, in contradistinction to our foreign intelligence mandate, which is limited to Canada.

Public Safety committee  My understanding is no, not directly, Mr. Chairman.

Public Safety committee  That depends when it was, madam.

Public Safety committee  No, madam.

Public Safety committee  Absolutely not. It's not a criminal investigation. If we were a law enforcement agency, lawyers would have to be present. A lawyer is in no way required to be present when we conduct interviews of individuals.

Public Safety committee  It's a general policy.

Public Safety committee  No, madam.

Public Safety committee  Absolutely not; we don't need a warrant to speak to Canadians. What we need is a suspicion that leads us to believe they might present a danger to public safety. We don't have lawyers because this isn't a criminal investigation. We talk to people; we can't arrest them or put them in prison or file criminal charges against them.

Public Safety committee  Mr. Chairman, if I remember correctly, Ms. Benhabib was under investigation for a security clearance. So the answer to your question is no.

Public Safety committee  I'll make a general statement, like my colleague. Mr. AlMaki, Mr. Abou-Elmaati and Mr. Nureddin sued the Crown. I don't think it would be appropriate for us to comment in greater detail.

Public Safety committee  Yes, madam.

Public Safety committee  Yes, madam.

Public Safety committee  Mr. Chairman, it has to be recalled that there were various episodes concerning Mr. Khadr's detention at Guantanamo Bay. First, when we went to interview him, there weren't as many allegations or videos, and the courts hadn't considered what happened, either at Guantanamo Bay generally, or against Mr.

Public Safety committee  No, madam.