ETHI Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 253-D, Centre Block, the Chair, Paul Szabo, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the motion of Michelle Simson previously moved on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, be considered.

The motion read as follows:

That the Committee report to the House its profound disappointment with the response of the Minister of Justice to its 10th report entitled ‘The Privacy Act: First steps towards renewal’, and that the Committee recommend to the government that it introduce in the House, no later than March 30, 2010, a new Privacy Act that would reflect the Committee’s proceedings and recommendations

Debate arose thereon.

Dean Del Mastro moved, — That the motion be amended by deleting the words “report to the House its profound disappointment with the response of the Minister of Justice” and the words “and that the Committee recommend to the government that it introduce in the House, no later than March 30, 2010, a new Privacy Act that would reflect the Committee’s proceedings and recommendations.” and by adding after the words “That the Committee” the following: “write to the Minister of Justice to express its desire for a more comprehensive response to” and by adding after the words “Towards Renewal” the following:“Specifically, the Committee requests that the Minister address each recommendation made individually, and provide background for his caution and concerns. The Committee further requests that the Minister do so expediently so that work in this area can continue to be undertaken without delay.”.

RULING BY THE CHAIR

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible as it introduced a new proposition that should be moved as a substantive motion

It was agreed, — That the debate on the motion be adjourned now.

Dean Del Mastro moved, — That the Committee write to the Minister of Justice to express its desire for a more comprehensive response to its 10th report, entitled “The Privacy Act: First Steps Towards Renewal”. Specifically, the Committee requests that the Minister address each recommendation made individually, and provide background for his caution and concerns. The Committee further requests that the Minister do so expediently so that the work in this area can continue to be undertaken without delay.

Debate arose thereon.

Bill Siksay moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “individually” the following: “by the Committee and the Privacy Commissioner” and by replacing the following: “do so expediently so that the work in this area can continue to be undertaken without delay.” with “ respond by January 25^th, 2010.”.

Debate arose thereon.

Borys Wrzesnewskyj moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing “25^th” with “15^th”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Borys Wrzesnewskyj and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Bill Siksay, as amended, and it was agreed to.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That the Committee write to the Minister of Justice to express its desire for a more comprehensive response to its 10th report entitled “The Privacy Act: First Steps Towards Renewal”. Specifically, the Committee requests that the Minister address each recommendation made individually by the Committee and the Privacy Commissioner and provide background for his caution and concerns. The Committee further requests that the Minister respond by January 15th, 2010.

At 10:59 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.