National Defence committee  Absolutely. This agency has all sorts of experts. When our own experts meet with them, they have discussions among experts. For example, if we send one of our expert investigators, the expert investigator will go see the analyst. The investigator will ask the analyst to explain

National Defence committee  That's a hypothetical question. I apologize again, but I haven't seen the desired amendments. To answer your question as I understood it, the final goal is to ensure a balance between the security of Canadians and the protection of privacy. This is no easy task, but a balance mu

National Defence committee  Yes.

National Defence committee  Yes, when it comes to CSE.

National Defence committee  Yes, but you must know that I don't have the mandate to assess the agency's performance. Normally, an inspector general does this. For example, in the United States, this role exists. I also think that SIRC, which looks after CSIS, is supposed to review performance. I don't hav

National Defence committee  Yes, of course. My role is to say whether the activities comply with the law and whether they adequately protect the privacy of Canadians. No Canadian wants to be spied on.

National Defence committee  CSE is governed by part V.1 of the National Defence Act.

National Defence committee  Yes. However, as I mentioned a few minutes ago, CSE is a technology agency that operates abroad. Other security agencies, such as the police, may occasionally ask for CSE's help. That's also part of CSE's mandate. CSIS, in particular, can ask for CSE's help if it's spying on some

National Defence committee  You're talking about my predecessor. Are you referring to Mr. Robert Décary?

National Defence committee  In passing, I do meet occasionally with my Five Eyes counterparts. We had a meeting last year in Washington. This year it's in Ottawa in September. All the watchdogs meet and we discuss all kinds of problems. Therefore, you know—

National Defence committee  The question you're raising is discussed among us.

National Defence committee  There are arrangements, or MOUs, between the Five Eyes. I know that an MOU is an MOU, and it's an arrangement. It's not a contract as such. It's like a gentlemen's agreement, if I may use the expression. But still, it's there. Like you say, it's based on public trust.

National Defence committee  Do you want to talk about this?

National Defence committee  That's especially true at the tender age of 74.

National Defence committee  It's a young 74, though.