Access and Privacy Online

Access and Privacy Online


Did you get a text about a speeding ticket in Halton Hills? It’s a scam

The Town of Halton Hills is alerting residents about fraudulent text messages circulating in the community that falsely claim to be linked to fines from the town’s Automated Speed Enforcement program. The town, in a post on X, emphasized these messages are not connected to the municipality in any way. For one, the town does […]

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All Revved Up – Newly elected Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch hits the ground running

Paul John Murdoch was declared the new Grand Chief of the Cree Nation July 17, after receiving 51.5% of the 4,447 votes cast across Eeyou Istchee in Grand Council elections. It was a decisive victory over incumbent Norman A. Wapachee (39%) and John Kitchen (9%).  With none of the four candidates for Deputy Grand Chief […]

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In Indigenous communities, MAiD is a fraught conversation

During the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, James Frank Palmater faced relentless, crushing pain. A massive heart attack had reduced his heart function to only 15 per cent. The isolation of social distancing in his palliative care ward deepened his suffering. Two and a half weeks after the infarction, he sought Medical Assistance in […]

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Jewish education group warns that identity politics are fuelling antisemitism in Ontario schools

A national advocacy group for Jewish educators and families has, after a 21-month-long investigation, concluded that antisemitism is being “tolerated by our schools and even seeded by our schools” and is urging the Ontario government to overhaul the education system. Released Aug. 11, the End the Crisis in Education: A Plan for Equal Rights and […]

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Travel doc info included in WestJet cyberattack, but not credit and debit cards

WestJet says some personal data including information about travel documents such as passports was stolen in a cyberattack earlier this year, but credit and debit card numbers as well as user passwords were not compromised. In a note to customers, WestJet says the personal information taken varies from person to person but may include name, […]

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Justice Department targets New York attorney general, a Trump foe. Here’s what to know

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s Justice Department is zeroing in on New York Attorney General Letitia James with a subpoena for records related to the $454 million civil judgement she won against Trump for lying about his wealth, a person familiar with the matter has told The Associated Press. The subpoena is part […]

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20250809 Access and Privacy Online

This is your Access and Privacy News Summary for Saturday, August 9th.   Even with a light news week as Canadians get back from the August Long Weekend, there are privacy and access stories of note. The federal privacy commissioner is now investigating the WestJet cybersecurity breach.  Access to government documents continues to fuel headlines and provide […]

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Justice Department escalates scrutiny of Trump foes with probes of Letitia James and Adam Schiff

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is escalating efforts to scrutinize perceived adversaries of President Donald Trump with investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff. The Justice Department has subpoenaed James for records related to a lawsuit the Democrat filed against Trump over alleged fraud in his personal business […]

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New lawsuit on Epstein case seeks records of Trump administration communications

WASHINGTON (AP) — A legal organization challenging President Donald Trump’s administration on multiple fronts filed a new lawsuit on Friday seeking the release of records detailing the handling of the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The group Democracy Forward sued the Justice Department and the FBI for senior administration officials’ communication about Epstein documents […]

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Students have been called to the office – and even arrested – for AI surveillance false alarms

Lesley Mathis knows what her daughter said was wrong. But she never expected the 13-year-old girl would get arrested for it. The teenage girl made an offensive joke while chatting online with her classmates, triggering the school’s surveillance software. Before the morning was even over, the Tennessee eighth grader was under arrest. She was interrogated, […]

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Open net salmon farm exodus expected in BC, documents reveal

Internal documents reveal Ottawa is bracing for major industry players to walk as it phases out open-net pens, leaving closed containment ventures scrambling for salmon eggs. The federal government is preparing for the possible exit of international salmon farm operations on the BC coast following the government’s promise last summer to phase out open-net pen […]

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Ontario’s proposed updates to municipal code of conduct rules flawed, critics say

As the Ontario legislature considers a bill that would give municipal councils the power to remove misbehaving and unethical members, some critics say the proposed legislation has serious flaws that must be addressed to ensure accountability. The Progressive Conservative government’s bill seeks to standardize municipal codes of conduct and give councils the power to vote […]

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