Public Safety committee  I don't have any insight into the mechanics of the current system. I know records are exchanged. I don't know how the systems are designed. I haven't seen any of the risk assessments or been involved in that. Certainly, from a security perspective, the right approach is to ensure

Public Safety committee  Wow, that's a tough one.

Public Safety committee  In three minutes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is a balance. Particularly when we're dealing with issues of law enforcement and issues of national security, there is a very delicate balance. I feel for legislators because, on one hand, Canadians demand that you protect them,

Public Safety committee  I'm not saying it won't, but I'm not saying it will either.

Public Safety committee  All I'm saying is that there are some risks that need to be managed, and I believe the government has the appropriate approaches to secure it.

Public Safety committee  There is some period of time for which the information is useful. I can't tell you from an intelligence perspective what that time frame is. That would be a good discussion between CBSA, the relevant intelligence agencies, and the Privacy Commissioner, to find that balance of kee

Public Safety committee  I'm not sure I'd use the words “totally protected”, but we can manage those risks. Canada, and particularly the federal government in Canada, has a good process. We have a proven risk assessment methodology. In fact, the Government of Canada process is so good that I often use it

Public Safety committee  As Canadians, we don't get to dictate U.S. policy, so when Canadians appear or anyone appears at a U.S. border, they have to accept U.S. law. Certainly my advice to the U.S. government would be the same as I've given this committee, which is you collect information, you use it fo

Public Safety committee  I would hope so.

Public Safety committee  I don't see any. As I mentioned in my opening statement, I think that the third area of concern, ensuring that there isn't an unintended expansion in the use of that information, is critical. That would be my primary concern, and I suggest that the committee carefully consider if

Public Safety committee  I think those concerns are very minimal. When a Canadian or anyone in Canada enters the U.S. at a land border crossing, it's in fact that individual who's providing his or her personal information to the Government of the United States and essentially agreeing to the laws of the

Public Safety committee  Yes.

Public Safety committee  I think the key is transparency, so that Canadians know what the rules are, that they know how and under what circumstances that information can be shared outside of CBSA, and that there are safeguards to ensure that it doesn't mushroom into something that Parliament didn't inten

Public Safety committee  There are several fundamental privacy principles, and one of them is the ability to challenge information that's incorrect. In this situation, what it comes down to is where that information is held and where should that challenge occur. Would it occur at CBSA, or would it occur

Public Safety committee  No. I haven't.