Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne told MPs a new bill would solidify Canadians' "fundamental right to privacy.".According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Champagne did not provide a written proposal, which left members of the Commons Industry committee frustrated..“We want to ensure Canadians are able to rest easy knowing their privacy will be respected,” testified Champagne. “I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favour of this amendment. I think Canada will be seen as a world leader.”.“We will propose an amendment to recognize a fundamental right to privacy for Canadians,” he said. “I think this is a big win for Canada. This is a major step forward.”.“Do you believe the privacy of an individual and data protection of that individual is primarily the paramount responsibility of government?” asked Rick Perkins Conservative MP (South Shore-St. Margarets, NS). .“We are going to be qualifying privacy as a fundamental right for Canadians,” replied Champagne..“If there are actual, drafted, legal amendments, I would like to have them in front of me,” said Brian Masse, New Democrat MP (Windsor West, ON). Champagne declined to put the proposal in writing..“Amendments are legal context that go to the legislation, or are we at ‘ideas’ right now?” asked Masse. .“What I am telling you is the direction,” replied Champagne. .“This is my opportunity to be in front of you to say what we intend to do.”.Champagne’s remarks came on a committee study of Bill C-27 An Act to Enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act. The bill introduced on June 16, 2022, would restrict commercial use of personal information without permission. Government institutions are exempt from privacy requirements and the bill would permit the bulk sale of anonymized data..“Our bill is based on a solid foundation,” said Champagne. “However, I have listened to ways we can improve it ourselves.”.A similar cabinet bill lapsed in 2020. The committee hearings on the current bill are taking place following revelations the Public Health Agency had contracted telecom providers to submit mobility data from millions of cellphone users without obtaining the informed consent of those users..The Agency justified its data collection efforts as necessary for monitoring Canadians' compliance with pandemic lockdown orders..A former Ontario privacy commissioner Ann Cavoukian provided testimony during the 2022 hearings of the Commons Ethics committee. She expressed concern government data collection had become excessive..“At the very least, the government should have provided notice to the public saying, ‘This is what we’re doing, here is why we’re doing it,’” said Cavoukian..“We have got to have some debate about these issues. The Public Health Agency cannot just decide to do that without telling anybody. That’s what I object to the most, the total lack of transparency.”
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne told MPs a new bill would solidify Canadians' "fundamental right to privacy.".According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Champagne did not provide a written proposal, which left members of the Commons Industry committee frustrated..“We want to ensure Canadians are able to rest easy knowing their privacy will be respected,” testified Champagne. “I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favour of this amendment. I think Canada will be seen as a world leader.”.“We will propose an amendment to recognize a fundamental right to privacy for Canadians,” he said. “I think this is a big win for Canada. This is a major step forward.”.“Do you believe the privacy of an individual and data protection of that individual is primarily the paramount responsibility of government?” asked Rick Perkins Conservative MP (South Shore-St. Margarets, NS). .“We are going to be qualifying privacy as a fundamental right for Canadians,” replied Champagne..“If there are actual, drafted, legal amendments, I would like to have them in front of me,” said Brian Masse, New Democrat MP (Windsor West, ON). Champagne declined to put the proposal in writing..“Amendments are legal context that go to the legislation, or are we at ‘ideas’ right now?” asked Masse. .“What I am telling you is the direction,” replied Champagne. .“This is my opportunity to be in front of you to say what we intend to do.”.Champagne’s remarks came on a committee study of Bill C-27 An Act to Enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act. The bill introduced on June 16, 2022, would restrict commercial use of personal information without permission. Government institutions are exempt from privacy requirements and the bill would permit the bulk sale of anonymized data..“Our bill is based on a solid foundation,” said Champagne. “However, I have listened to ways we can improve it ourselves.”.A similar cabinet bill lapsed in 2020. The committee hearings on the current bill are taking place following revelations the Public Health Agency had contracted telecom providers to submit mobility data from millions of cellphone users without obtaining the informed consent of those users..The Agency justified its data collection efforts as necessary for monitoring Canadians' compliance with pandemic lockdown orders..A former Ontario privacy commissioner Ann Cavoukian provided testimony during the 2022 hearings of the Commons Ethics committee. She expressed concern government data collection had become excessive..“At the very least, the government should have provided notice to the public saying, ‘This is what we’re doing, here is why we’re doing it,’” said Cavoukian..“We have got to have some debate about these issues. The Public Health Agency cannot just decide to do that without telling anybody. That’s what I object to the most, the total lack of transparency.”
