OTTAWA– (16 October 2020) The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (“PIAC”) today responded to the government of Ontario’s Consultation to strengthen privacy protections in Ontario with PIAC’s recommendations for strengthening privacy protections in Ontario’s private sector, preferably by strengthening the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”) and introducing provincial employment privacy legislation.
PIAC recommended bolstering privacy protections – whether in PIPEDA or a new Ontario statute – by making privacy a right, by widening the scope of privacy legislation and by greatly increasing compliance and enforcement powers of privacy authorities.
PIAC Executive Director, John Lawford stated: “We agree privacy of Ontarians and indeed all Canadians needs strengthening for a truly digital age. The best approach is to make privacy a consumer right and to enable consumers to enforce that right – whoever takes the lead.”
PIAC’s recommendations would help to align Canadian privacy legislation with other key jurisdictions, including the state of California and the European Union (“EU”). The EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), recognizes and balances individuals’ right to privacy with business and government interests in processing personal information.
“Whatever the outcome of Ontario’s efforts, we hope that they will enhance public trust in consumer privacy, allow businesses to innovate, increase participation in the digital economy and preserve democracy,” Lawford added.
Please click here for a copy of PIAC’s submission to the Government of Ontario.
For more information please contact:
John Lawford
Executive Director and General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Tel: 613-562-4002 ext. 125
Cell: 613-447-8125
jlawford@piac.ca