Information & Ethics committee  Sir, is your question whether or not we feel there would be a threat if information were given to police, that it would be stolen from us? Do you feel that we will not secure the evidence?

Information & Ethics committee  Clearly, they—

Information & Ethics committee  It's very difficult for us to speak about a specific investigation if we have not done the background to determine exactly what phone calls were made. Mr. Dhaliwal initially provided a set of circumstances, which we are trying to interpret, but it would be a lot easier for us t

Information & Ethics committee  If you're seeking information specifically with individuals, we will do that in a face-to-face. If you have a rapport with the company, they know who you are, and they recognize your voice, it may be possible to do that by telephone. Yes, I would expect the company would ask

Information & Ethics committee  Right now it is not widespread, but there are a number of groups or individuals who feel that this disclosure does not take into account should they choose—

Information & Ethics committee  Unless they confirm with the police that they are able to release the information; we won't know at the time whether or not it can cause harm, but we will know when they call. So provided they contact us, we don't have an issue. It is when people feel they can find a loophole by

Information & Ethics committee  Any and all evidence that is collected in any type of investigation, if it goes before the court will be judged on its merit, and the protections that fall within—

Information & Ethics committee  PIPEDA protects the person who shares the information with the police. The police will still be accountable for the evidence they obtained and how that evidence was obtained. The court will still hold the Crown accountable for the evidence itself.

Information & Ethics committee  But the evidence will still be—

Information & Ethics committee  Yes. Under the Criminal Code a person can be held accountable for actions in which they have aided in a criminal offence. If they are party to an offence they can be held accountable.

Information & Ethics committee  There are people who cooperate very well, and there are organizations that are very helpful. But we are finding more and more that companies get support from legal counsel, who generally want to advise their clients to be risk-averse. If it's not completely clear, their advice to

Information & Ethics committee  It would be for harbouring a crime, or being party to an offence.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, there are; however, we are in the very early stages and we have yet to determine that there is a crime. At the point when we know a crime has been committed and who the parties are, we won't be asking subtle questions; we will be seeking the authority and support of the cour

Information & Ethics committee  In addition, the national sex offender registry lays out specific points within there, that sex offenders are to provide specific information to police. And it governs, as well, how that information is to be collected, protected, and—

Information & Ethics committee  Much of the information we seek is information that is very basic, and it's on general inquiries. It's not that we seek the core personal information of individuals. The information we are discussing in relation to PIPEDA is more basic information. By way of an example, if ther