National Defence committee  There are 14. We await further information about the government's intentions for national security accountability mechanisms following the national consultations. The main point I would make is that regardless of structure and the overall accountability framework, expert review

National Defence committee  Thank you, Mr. Robillard. I'll start by talking about my own organization. Most, if not all, our employees are bilingual. Our office isn't large, but most employees and the executive director are bilingual. I'm bilingual, as are most of the investigators or review officers. In

National Defence committee  First, I would say the government or Parliament should answer this question, since the government decided to build the buildings in that location. Since the two agencies are side by side, it's easier for CSIS and CSE to meet and hold discussions. This is especially true since, ac

National Defence committee  With regard to Bill C-22 and the provision in that bill where we talk about the duplication, this is the suggestion that I've made. I'm not saying I'm the only one who has made that suggestion, but I made that suggestion a long time ago. If we want to be effective, the committee

National Defence committee  Thank you very much. When you say I'm the expert, I think we should qualify that. I'm the expert in law. I'm a retired judge.

National Defence committee  No. I'm a retired judge. I'm not an expert in technology, and I'm not an expert with regard to CSE activities. To give you an example, when I was sitting as a judge and presiding at a murder trial, let's say, I had expert witnesses who would come around and explain to me what it

National Defence committee  All I can say is, in my case, last year I met with my counterpart in the States, the NSA inspector general, with regard to privacy protection. As you probably know, between the Five Eyes there is an agreement that nobody will spy on the others' citizens, and therefore, they will

National Defence committee  Yes, indeed.

National Defence committee  I don't report to the minister, I'm very sorry.

National Defence committee  Yes. It goes through the minister because the minister, by statute, has to deposit that report before both houses, but I don't report to the minister. The only reason I deal with the Minister of National Defence is that he is the boss of CSE.

National Defence committee  No, not at all.

National Defence committee  There's no discussion with the minister with regard to my reports, not at all, and no discussion with CSE either. Otherwise, I wouldn't be independent.

National Defence committee  The public annual report is what I'm talking about.

National Defence committee  Indeed. For example, I think last year we had—what?—seven classified reports sent to the minister. Let's say we review some CSE activities in depth and then we make recommendations to the minister in a classified report. This is sent to the minister only, and naturally a copy goe

National Defence committee  No. I make recommendations.