A committee examining a proposed law to fight terrorism will not hear testimony from the government’s own privacy commissioner. Bill C-51 has raised serious concerns about the proposed sharing of Canadians’ personal information among a possible 17 different government agencies.
Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has already provided a written submission to the House of Commons committee examining the legislation, but an opposition member of Parliament tried to get unanimous support to extend the schedule so that Therrien could be heard in person. The governing Conservative members blocked his attempt.
Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said that his office had “consulted” with the commissioner on the bill and that he intended to meet with Therrien.
Privacy concerns will be raised by others appearing before the committee today including two civil liberties associations, university professors Craig Forcese and Kent Roach, and Amnesty International Canada. There has been criticism that the time allotted for hearing witnesses is too short.
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