Public Safety committee  I said we are in the process of examining the letter from Mr. Waldman, on behalf of Mr. Arar, and we will make our decision based on our examination of a whole variety of issues as soon as we can. We received that letter, as I recall, about ten days ago, and we've only just met and determined to undertake an examination of the issues that were raised.

Public Safety committee  The one-voice letter.... The response, of course, that we received, just as you have as a committee, was the one that Mr. Judd made yesterday. We'll take all that into consideration and we will examine it.

Public Safety committee  I stand to be corrected, but I don't believe that I read in Justice O'Connor's report that he has concluded that they played a role in his detention and rendition.

Public Safety committee  First, you are not suggesting now that they had any role in his apprehension and deportation. You're talking about whether or not—

Public Safety committee  We examine, on an annual basis, a variety of the warrant applications because these are the most intrusive aspects of CSIS operations. Ministerial direction to the service states that the least intrusive investigative methods must be used first, except in emergency situations or where less intrusive investigative techniques would not be proportionate to the gravity and imminence of the threat.

Public Safety committee  It's a fair comment, and that is one of the reasons we did the study we did on electronic surveillance and information-gathering techniques, which leads us to the issue of the act that died on the order paper at the end of the last Parliament, which was the modernization of investigative techniques act.

Public Safety committee  It's an assertion.

Public Safety committee  If I recall, though, it was indicated in testimony here that that information was in the hands of the Solicitor General, then eventually the Minister of Public Safety. So if that wasn't being coordinated, somehow, through the government's security establishment, if they were aware of it and it wasn't being discussed with CSIS, that begs the question as well.

Public Safety committee  In our discussions with CSIS over the last five years or so that I've been involved with the committee, they categorically deny that there's any racial profiling that is part of their operations, and Mr. Judd has said that publicly on numerous occasions. So I can't respond any further to that.

Public Safety committee  We're a very small and very tight organization. I will honestly respond that I certainly didn't ever contemplate that the leaks took place within SIRC, if that's your assertion. I would be happy to further investigate, but I don't believe there is that possibility.

Public Safety committee  There is a police investigation going on now, as I understand it. Certainly if they want to have any discussions with us, we will be fully cooperative.

Public Safety committee  Mr. Cotler, I don't want to say that I'm overwhelmed, but I am. You have put quite a lot of information and many, many questions on the table, and I'm not sure where to begin. But with respect to a number of the issues, I think the one-voice letter was responded to yesterday by Mr.

Public Safety committee  If I may, I can assure you that virtually every time we get together with CSIS officials, we ask about relationships with the RCMP, the exchange of information, and all the various integrated security programs that they have under way, and there are many these days. We're doing constant reviews of the various different programs--INSETs and all these programs.

Public Safety committee  I think the short answer is that we'd like to see them do more--more resources, more people who are qualified in various different languages.

Public Safety committee  I don't think we have any way of knowing that. However, our impression is that Canada pulls its weight and that our security and intelligence service is regarded as being very professional and contributing at least its share, if not more, to the international fight against terrorism.