Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Privacy Commissioner.
I know there have been a lot of comments today about what the minister said and what's forthcoming. I want to make this very clear to those listening at home: This bill is very important because, for the first time in 20-some years, we're dealing with having the largest amount of data that individuals, including our children, have ever had out in the open. We're dealing with data and, of course, in the second section, with AI. It's not up to the minister to approve certain amendments or decide what he wants to give us. It's up to this committee and then the House of Commons to determine how this bill, if adequate, will go forth to protect Canadians. I want to make that very clear.
We feel that, as the bill is presented right now, this government has not taken privacy seriously. It has not listed privacy as a fundamental right in the “purpose” statement of this bill, which other subregions of the country, like Quebec, already do.
I want to speak today on a certain portion of this bill that already gives more power to business than it does to individuals. It's a section that I think you identified, called “legitimate interest”.
Commissioner, I'd like you to define “legitimate interest” in your own words for the public and for people listening. I know you have a legal background. It's your fourth recommendation. I want you to explain how this drafted bill continues to allow the government to make exceptions to the law by way of regulations, without the need to demonstrate that those exceptions are necessary.