Industry committee  Yes.

Industry committee  Minister, you previously just said to this committee that your digital guidelines will apply to any government entity, including StatsCan, and yet you're abdicating the decision to go ahead with the pilot project to the Privacy Commissioner.

Industry committee  Well, then, why would the Privacy Commissioner need to look into the matter further if you've committed to Canadians that they have complete control of their information—control and consent?

Industry committee  The Information Commissioner has started talking about shutting down a consultation on data flows between provinces and whatnot because of your new digital guidelines.

Industry committee  I question you about the timeline as well.

Industry committee  Minister, your proposed guidelines refer to protecting the data of Canadians. It was your government that created a data harvest program that would have compelled banks to collect Canadians' confidential financial information without their knowledge or their consent. Why should a

Industry committee  One of your guidelines is, “Canadians will have control over what data they are sharing, who is using their personal data and for what purposes, and know that their privacy is protected.” Minister, does that apply to data held by government, or government bodies like StatsCan?

Industry committee  I'm asking specifically about government bodies, Minister. Please focus. Will your so-called digital guidelines apply to StatsCan, yes or no?

Industry committee  Minister, have you approved any other large-scale data collection activities from Canadians through private companies, whether mandatory or not?

Industry committee  He is supposed to inform you when there's a change, though.

Industry committee  Minister and Deputy Minister, thank you for your ongoing commitment to this country. Minister, off the top, I do think it's important that we have someone to deal with financial responsibility before the committee and answer questions on the estimates. In the second hour we have

Industry committee  Thank you, sir. Minister, you've mentioned your so-called digital charter. Why should any Canadian trust your government to have their best interests at heart?

Industry committee  Minister, on the trust that's eroding, let's start off with using the correct language. This is not a charter. It's a set of vague guidelines with no legislative authority. Why exactly did the Prime Minister announce these new guidelines in France and not in Canada? What exactly

Industry committee  From day one.

Industry committee  On the subject of transparency, when exactly do you plan to pass this new set of guidelines into law? The session's over in a matter of weeks. Isn't this just an election ploy?