The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security met to conduct clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-8, an act respecting cybersecurity and amending various acts. Officials from the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Communications Security Establishment appeared to provide technical advice on amendments.
Colin MacSween, Director General of the National Cyber Security Directorate, advised the committee on several amendments. He noted that CPC-40 could create confusion by commingling definitions of personal information and confidential information, potentially conflicting with the Privacy Act. On CPC-42, he cautioned that legislating a specific international standard for cybersecurity could cause the provision to become outdated quickly as standards evolve. Regarding a Conservative amendment on data retention, he warned that wording requiring disposal of information when no longer necessary could unintentionally restrict Canadians' two-year window to access their information under the Privacy Act. On a confidentiality amendment, he said it could prevent regulators from demonstrating the source of information used in non-compliance determinations.
Richard Larose, Principal Advisor on Cyber Security at CSE, agreed with MacSween that referencing a specific international standard in legislation would be less flexible than placing it in regulations, where it could be adapted more quickly as standards change.
Kelly-Anne Gibson, Director of the National Cyber Security Directorate, addressed several amendments. On a Conservative amendment seeking to protect personal information, she said the wording could unintentionally inhibit CSE from using information for its lawful mandate, including supporting Canadian operators through voluntary programs. On the government amendment reducing maximum fines for individuals from $1 million to $500,000, she explained this followed consultations with industry stakeholders who feared people would not accept cybersecurity positions. On BQ-14 requiring consultation with provincial regulatory bodies, she noted the government amendment G-7 uses "may" rather than "must" language, making BQ-14 more prescriptive, and acknowledged potential confusion between the two.
The committee debated and voted on numerous amendments to Bill C-8, with several being adopted and others defeated. The Bloc Québécois withdrew BQ-9. The committee also debated a motion from Sukhman Gill expressing grave concern about rising extortion rates and recommending tougher sentences and bail provisions, but the meeting was adjourned before debate concluded.
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