ITAC Roundtable with Government on Privacy
On Thursday, September 5th, 2019 from 9:30am – 12:00 pm, ITAC invites all members to take part in a consultation roundtable with officials from the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (PIPEDA) and the Department of Justice (Privacy Act).
Rogers Communications – 350 Bloor Street E – 4th Floor
(across the street from Rogers Main office at 333 Bloor St E)
Digital technology is changing our economy and our society—the way we access information, work, and connect with each other. Data is now a resource that companies use to be more productive and to develop better products and services, unleashing a digital revolution around the world.
In this digital world, Canadian businesses and consumers must be able to trust that their privacy is protected, that their data will not be misused, and that companies operating in this space communicate in a simple and straightforward manner with their users. This trust is the foundation on which our digital and data-driven economy will be built.
On June 19, 2018, the Government of Canada launched its National Digital and Data consultations and on September 5th of 2018, ITAC hosted government officials in a roundtable discussion on a Canadian Data strategy.
As part of the data strategy and digital charter announcements, ISED and the Department of Justice are now consulting on how to develop a new modern PIPEDA and Privacy Act to enable the data driven digital economy.
We have been discussing our ITAC submissions with members over the summer, but this event provides our members with an opportunity to engage ISED and Justice officials directly.
The Government is considering how best to modernize its privacy policies and regulatory frameworks in order to protect privacy and support innovation and prosperity. In short, the goal is to respect individuals and their privacy by providing them with meaningful control without creating onerous or redundant restrictions for business; enable responsible innovation on the part of organizations; and ensure an enhanced, reasoned enforcement model. Specifically, the Government is proposing clarifications under PIPEDA that detail what information individuals should receive when they provide consent; certain exceptions to consent; data mobility; deletion and withdrawal of consent; incentives for certification, codes, standards, and data trusts; enhanced powers for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner; as well certain modernizations to the structure of the law itself and various definitions.
These reviews build on the Digital Charter and the work of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee (“ETHI Committee”), the witnesses that have appeared before the ETHI Committee, and the contributions of other experts and stakeholders in this area (including ITAC). Justice Canada is reaching out as part of a targeted technical engagement. Their objective is to solicit specialized expertise that will help to guide their approach to modernizing the Privacy Act.
Given our industry’s expertise in privacy, technology and/or digital issues, they are inviting our input into their work.