THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, February 12, 2026
(24)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 10:30 a.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable David M. Arnot, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Batters, Clement, Cuzner, Miville-Dechêne, Moncion, Oudar, Pate, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons and Tannas (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Dalphond (1).
Participating in the meeting: Dana Phillips and Michaela Keenan-Pelletier, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter of Part 4 of Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure.
WITNESSES:
Centre for Digital Rights:
Bill Hearn, Principal, HearnLaw, External General Counsel to Centre for Digital Rights (by videoconference);
Jim Balsillie, Founder (by videoconference).
BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association:
Jason Woywada, Executive Director (by videoconference).
Privy Council Office:
Cathy Hawara, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Machinery of Government and Democratic Institutions;
Rachel Pereira, Director, Electoral and Senatorial Policy Unit, Democratic Institutions.
As an individual:
Sara Bannerman, Professor and Canada Research Chair of Communication Policy and Governance (by videoconference).
Bill Hearn, Jim Balsillie and Jason Woywada each made a statement and answered questions.
At 11:29 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 11:32 a.m., the committee resumed.
Sara Bannerman and Cathy Hawara each made a statement and, together with Rachel Pereira, answered questions.
At 12:30 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee