The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced legislation to help combat identity theft on November 21. “This Government is following through on its commitment to give police the tools they need to better protect Canadians by stopping identity theft activity before the damage is done,” said Minister Nicholson. “I have tabled legislation […]

The special committee to review BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) has issued a call for written submissions. The deadline is February 12, 2008. PIPA is BC’s privacy act covering provincially-regulated private sector organizations, including businesses and non-profit groups. This is the first review of BC’s PIPA since it was passed in 2003. FIPA will […]

The news over the summer that the CRTC was at long last moving forward with a national do-not-call list generated a sigh of relief from millions of Canadians fed up with intrusive, unwanted and inconvenient unsolicited telemarketing calls. In the past few months, the do-not-call list details have begun to emerge with the CRTC addressing […]

BC FIPA sent its submission for the Customer Name and Address Information Consultation to Public Safety Canada today. FIPA outlines three main concerns with the CNA proposal. [T]he proposals go beyond maintaining existing powers in order to cope with new technology … [and] would actually lower the threshold currently required to obtain Canadians’ personal information […]

“Right to Know Week” in Canada runs from Friday September 28 to Friday October 5, 2007. Events across Canada will reveal the vital role freedom of information laws play in giving citizens access to government records. All Canadians have a right of access to their own personal information and to records about almost everything else […]

During the 1990s, the Canadian public enjoyed a steady increase in access to government information. New freedom of information laws were passed in many Canadian provinces. The BC government was at the leading edge of the trend, passing an FOI law that made it much more transparent and accountable. Then came a new century, 9/11, […]

In his annual report, released today, Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis has called on the Premier and Cabinet to show leadership by amending the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to restore the public’s access to information rights that were curtailed by a BC Court of Appeal Decision. “The bottom line is […]

Canada’s official privacy watchdogs have formed a united front to call for suspension of the Canadian government’s new no-fly list until it can be overhauled to ensure strong privacy protections for Canadians. FIPA is urging all concerned citizens to join in by emailing the Prime Minister (See last paragraph). The federal, provincial and territorial privacy […]

Ten national organizations including civil liberties, anti-racism, and groups representing immigrants and refugees are calling for the federal government to scrap plans for a “No Fly List” in a joint letter to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. We believe that the [No Fly] List raises grave concerns regarding […]

Weekly privacy news briefs from around the world – 2006: Privacy News Highlights – 10 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 19 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 26 Jan 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 2 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 9 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights – 16 Feb 2006 Privacy News Highlights […]

FIPA President Richard Rosenberg testifies today before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, which has begun a mandatory review of Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). The PIPEDA regulates how private sector organizations deal with Canadians’ personal information. FIPA is advocating major reforms to the […]

BC FIPA and the BCCLA have made submissions regarding the statutory review of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI). This submission highlights a number of issues which must be addressed in order to ensure that the privacy […]