BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
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20260314 Access and Privacy Online
Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 14th.
It’s another busy week across Canada’s privacy and transparency landscape.
We’re tracking a major privacy investigation into Loblaw’s PC Optimum program, new conditions allowing TikTok to keep operating in Canada, and growing concerns about facial recognition and workplace AI surveillance.
And on the transparency front, Canada’s Information Commissioner is warning that federal access-to-information reform proposals lack ambition—while freedom-of-information reporting reveals gaps in everything from hospital overdose data to environmental spill reporting.
In late breaking news this week, as British Columbia continues debate over Bill 9, the government’s proposed changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Ontario introduces changes designed to let the Premier act without public scrutiny.
And on the Federal front as one chapter has closed another opens as Bill C-4 has passed into law.
Also available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, ListenNotes, Podchaser, Boomplay.
Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca
You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.
Full Show Links
FIPA Bill C-4
- House of Commons E-Petition
- Bill C-4 Dashboard
FIPA Bill 9 and Ontario
- Ontario Updating Cyber Security, Privacy and Access Framework to Align More Closely with Jurisdictions Across Canada
FIPA Network Update
- People’s Consultation on AI
Canadian Privacy
- Privacy Commissioner probe finds Loblaw took too long to delete PC Optimum accounts
- Montreal teacher challenges policy for trans students to hide identity from parents
- Woman says she felt like a ‘prisoner’ during 1992 encounter with Quebec cardinal
- TikTok to continue operating in Canada, subject to safety conditions
- Ottawa drops TikTok ban, will now let platform stay in Canada with conditions
- Spy agency won’t release its TikaTok advice to Ottawa, urges caution online
- Is someone watching you? Facial recognition tech is here and Canada offers little privacy protection
- Will AI drones, robots and wearable sensors revolutionize workplace safety?
Canadian Access to Information
- Information commissioner ‘disappointed’ by lack of federal ambition on access reform
- Questions remain as CAO placed on leave
- Drayton Valley and District Free Press – https://www.dvfreepress.com/
- Tracking Hospital Overdoses Isn’t Easy as It Seems: Dr. Bonnie Henry
- Newfoundland and Labrador overhauls procurement after report errors thought to be AI
- Animal welfare: How a lack of transparency in Canadian slaughterhouses is keeping us in the dark
- Politicians and environmentalists call for transparency on N.B. highway toxin spill
US Continued Shift
- Videos show US citizen’s shooting death in Texas last year by federal immigration agent
- Press freedom in the Americas saw a ‘dramatic deterioration’ last year, watchdog says
- Justice Department official Ed Martin accused of ethics violations for letter to Georgetown dean
- UN panel says racist hate speech by Trump and other US leaders has led to human rights violations
- Social Security watchdog opens probe into alleged misuse of data by ex-DOGE employee
- States sue the Trump administration to challenge policy requiring colleges to collect race data
FIPA Updates
- Access and Privacy Online in the Classroom
Your Access and Privacy Online News Summary for Saturday, March 14th.
It’s another busy week across Canada’s privacy and transparency landscape.
We’re tracking a major privacy investigation into Loblaw’s PC Optimum program, new conditions allowing TikTok to keep operating in Canada, and growing concerns about facial recognition and workplace AI surveillance.
And on the transparency front, Canada’s Information Commissioner is warning that federal access-to-information reform proposals lack ambition—while freedom-of-information reporting reveals gaps in everything from hospital overdose data to environmental spill reporting.
In late breaking news this week, as British Columbia continues debate over Bill 9, the government’s proposed changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Ontario introduces changes designed to let the Premier act without public scrutiny.
And on the Federal front as one chapter has closed another opens as Bill C-4 has passed into law.
Also available through: PodBean, Apple iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, ListenNotes, Podchaser, Boomplay.
Writing: Shaun Fisk | Production: Patrick Farnsworth | Music: Breakmaster Cylinder
Send comments to: FIPAOnline @ fipa.bc.ca
You can support these efforts by subscribing or donating.
Full Show Links
FIPA Bill C-4
- House of Commons E-Petition
- Bill C-4 Dashboard
FIPA Bill 9 and Ontario
- Ontario Updating Cyber Security, Privacy and Access Framework to Align More Closely with Jurisdictions Across Canada
FIPA Network Update
- People’s Consultation on AI
Canadian Privacy
- Privacy Commissioner probe finds Loblaw took too long to delete PC Optimum accounts
- Montreal teacher challenges policy for trans students to hide identity from parents
- Woman says she felt like a ‘prisoner’ during 1992 encounter with Quebec cardinal
- TikTok to continue operating in Canada, subject to safety conditions
- Ottawa drops TikTok ban, will now let platform stay in Canada with conditions
- Spy agency won’t release its TikaTok advice to Ottawa, urges caution online
- Is someone watching you? Facial recognition tech is here and Canada offers little privacy protection
- Will AI drones, robots and wearable sensors revolutionize workplace safety?
Canadian Access to Information
- Information commissioner ‘disappointed’ by lack of federal ambition on access reform
- Questions remain as CAO placed on leave
- Drayton Valley and District Free Press – https://www.dvfreepress.com/
- Tracking Hospital Overdoses Isn’t Easy as It Seems: Dr. Bonnie Henry
- Newfoundland and Labrador overhauls procurement after report errors thought to be AI
- Animal welfare: How a lack of transparency in Canadian slaughterhouses is keeping us in the dark
- Politicians and environmentalists call for transparency on N.B. highway toxin spill
US Continued Shift
- Videos show US citizen’s shooting death in Texas last year by federal immigration agent
- Press freedom in the Americas saw a ‘dramatic deterioration’ last year, watchdog says
- Justice Department official Ed Martin accused of ethics violations for letter to Georgetown dean
- UN panel says racist hate speech by Trump and other US leaders has led to human rights violations
- Social Security watchdog opens probe into alleged misuse of data by ex-DOGE employee
- States sue the Trump administration to challenge policy requiring colleges to collect race data
FIPA Updates
- Access and Privacy Online in the Classroom