Justice committee  I would just like to make a very brief comment with respect to in camera sittings. Although we talked about a parliamentary committee, perhaps we used the wrong term. During the Arar inquiry, I worked with Warren Allmand on developing a policy to provide oversight on matters involving national security.

Justice committee  You're right; that is dangerous.

Justice committee  In cases where people suffer damages, for example, or are victims of assault, I believe that both they and members of the public have the right to know. When the police get involved in this kind of activity, it's fairly serious. We're not talking about speeding on the highway, as Mr.

Justice committee  Yes, if we're talking about cigarette smuggling, that's one thing. However, if we're talking about forcible confinement, assault, or hostage taking, we're talking about something quite different, all the more so when threats, intimidation, and possibly even torture are involved.

Justice committee  I would simply say, in answer to Mr. Lee's question, that there is also the fact that many offences are not discussed in the report, for a number of reasons stated in the law itself. Either police officers are still conducting the investigation and want to avoid the disclosure of evidence, or they are trying to protect a double agent or informant.

Justice committee  Personally, I no longer know when to take my glasses off or when to put them on. Are you referring here to confidentiality as a means of protection the victims, or rather, for the purposes of protecting informants or double agents?

Justice committee  In my opinion, it's the same issue that arises with a search warrant or a wiretap warrant. Indeed--and this is the actual wording in the Code--no detailed information is to be disclosed regarding the reasons for the search or the wiretapping. In fact, counsel for the person who is the subject of the search doesn't even know about it until the search has already been carried out.

Justice committee  I will be very pleased to follow Mr. Lee's suggestion. First of all, we fully agree with the Canadian Bar Association. At the Ligue des droits et libertés, we have essentially the same concerns and find ourselves confronted with the same legal structure which, unfortunately, is not well known to the public.

Justice committee  My name is Denis Barrette and I represent the Ligue des droits et libertés. I am going to turn it over first to my colleague, Pierre-Louis Fortin-Legris.