The Ontario government is seeking input on its plan to introduce a digital ID program by the end of 2021 that would enable Ontarians to conveniently prove their identity online. Individuals could use digital ID to prove their identity when: checking in for virtual medical appointments getting a birth, marriage or death certificate applying for government … [Read more...] about Help shape Ontario’s Digital ID Program
Surveillance
Alberta OIPC responds to HIA amendments
The Government of Alberta recently introduced Bill 46 that proposes several amendments to Alberta's Health Information Act, and to the legal framework for Electronic Health Records. The provisions of Bill 46 indicate a philosophical shift — from viewing health information as being in the hands of Authorized Custodians, who are permitted to share it under specified … [Read more...] about Alberta OIPC responds to HIA amendments
The high cost of affordable auto insurance
In an attempt to drive down soaring auto insurance rates, the Alberta Government recently introduced Bill 41 to modernize the Insurance Act. On its surface, Bill 41 is a valiant effort to provide some relief from high auto insurance rates (although the Bill does not require cost savings to be passed on to consumers). A quick look under its hood is all it … [Read more...] about The high cost of affordable auto insurance
Commissioners agree with PACC that facial recognition without meaningful consent is problematic
In late July of 2018, an observant shopper at Calgary’s Chinook Centre mall saw an electronic wayfinding directory displaying computer code suggesting that facial recognition technology was being used in the display boards. Days later, PACC asked the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta to investigate and determine … [Read more...] about Commissioners agree with PACC that facial recognition without meaningful consent is problematic
Public Health Privacy Predicament
In a world of political monkey-see-monkey-do, in which our own Prime Minister has assured that "there is nothing we won't do” to keep Canadians safe, comes a new and credible threat to Canadians' privacy, freedoms, and democratic institutions from the other side of the globe. On May 8th, New Zealand was applauded for proactively publishing several dozen papers that … [Read more...] about Public Health Privacy Predicament
Alberta plan to use smartphones to enforce quarantines raises privacy questions
As some agencies have stopped accepting requests, an international human rights organization is calling on all levels of government in Canada to continue answering access to information requests — and prioritize ones that relate to government accountability. Read More … [Read more...] about Alberta plan to use smartphones to enforce quarantines raises privacy questions
