Information & Ethics committee  I have given you my views on several aspects of Bill C-13.

Information & Ethics committee  I would say that I do. That's in line with what I said a bit earlier, to the effect that the bill should be divided and that a comprehensive study should be carried out on the privacy issues covered in the bill.

Information & Ethics committee  No. That advice was provided by a legal service that comes under my jurisdiction, but not directly by me.

Information & Ethics committee  Bill C-30 had some flaws and, just as Bill C-13, needed to be examined more thoroughly, in my opinion.

Information & Ethics committee  Information sharing with any countries always implies some risks.

Information & Ethics committee  I have mentioned that because it's another indication of my experience with human rights, although not privacy particularly. In Citizenship and Immigration, the protection of the person in a case of persecution, for instance, or other mistreatment, is important. When I refer in my curriculum to enhancing refugee protection, I have regard to legislation 12 years or so ago, where the grounds for which protection is granted to refugees were expanded from those of the refugee convention to other risks of mistreatment.

Information & Ethics committee  That is, of course, a notion that has to be interpreted based on each situation. In the case of government, if we go back to the law enforcement context with which I'm most familiar, police and security agencies already have certain authorities. If they were to ask for additional authorities, I would ask whether those were necessary, whether there were sufficient existing authorities to achieve the ends they needed in order to meet the protection of the public, and, if there were a need for new authorities, whether it was well crafted, whether it was of proper scope, and whether there were alternatives to the authorities being granted.

Information & Ethics committee  There is no doubt that, because of the age of the legislation and the numerous technological and sociological changes since then, this legislation warrants review. A number of recommendations have been made to revise the legislation. I think I'll stop there.

Information & Ethics committee  I do share these views.

Information & Ethics committee  I think my role as Privacy Commissioner, if my appointment is confirmed, would be to be a champion for privacy rights. I have said in my remarks as well that I would work—and that would be my priority—to increase, to improve, the control individuals have over their information, for instance, in relation to private companies, by ensuring that the consent individuals give to the collection and use of information is truly informed.

Information & Ethics committee  I would think so. I note that there is a bill in the Senate to expand on the information that individuals have when they consent to collection, use, and so on, and I note, like everyone else, that the consent we give to companies when we use technologies is very difficult to understand.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you for your question, Mr. Cotler. As I have tried to say before, I'm in favour of all measures that would increase the control of the individual over their information. That includes more transparency and more accountability by police and intelligence agencies that collect and use and share information in relation to individuals.

Information & Ethics committee  I would refer in part to the privacy principles that I have described. The principles in question require that when information is shared, in this case with the United States, or with another country, that the information be accurate, be current, be up to date, and where necessary that it be the subject of conditions, if there are concerns with respect to mistreatment after the information is shared.

Information & Ethics committee  I would agree. I think it is still absolutely valid, full stop. At the same time, as I said in my remarks, Canadians want to be safe, and I think government is entitled to present proposals to promote security, but not in a way that impedes human rights, including that to privacy.

Information & Ethics committee  Thank you for the question. With the indulgence of the committee, I will first talk about principles. Afterwards, I will discuss the values. When it comes to the principles, I would say that I am acutely aware that the position of commissioner requires total independence and complete impartiality.