Did you miss me last week? Thanks to Dustin Moores for filling in for me and preparing the digest intro while I was traveling.
Almost as if it knew I wouldn't be able to listen in on its Bill C-27 clause-by-clause review, the House of Commons of Canada Standing Committee on Industry and Technology didn’t hold any meetings last week either. The committee did, however, manage to meet on the topic once this week, but it was pretty short. I'll give you a quick run-down.
Discussion began with continuation of the debate around adding a definition for "sensitive personal information." The committee unanimously agreed to define the term as including a nonexhaustive list of examples, including geolocation.
The next amendment, proposed by members of the Conservative Party, to define "significant impact" passed as well.
Conservatives also proposed to amend the bill to give the privacy commissioner of Canada direct power to issue administrative monetary penalties without the need to go to a Tribunal — they even suggested scrapping the Tribunal altogether. This idea was debated without resolution. I imagine the committee will vote on it at its next meeting, so this is something to watch for. Somehow I don't think that one will pass given the lack of take-up by the other parties.
At this rate, I'm starting to doubt the committee will get through everything before the summer break. It's strange that such an important piece of legislation is moving so slowly. When compared to how quickly the EU moved with its Artificial Intelligence Act and how even the Americans seem motivated in Washington, D.C., to pass their own modern privacy law, it's puzzling to see us Canadians taking such a long time.
In any event, I am pleased to report we are just shy of 1,000 registrations for the IAPP Canada Privacy Symposium 2024. If you don't have your ticket yet, don't delay, because it's right around the corner. With C-27 and everything else going on, Canadian privacy pros will sure have a lot to talk about when we get together this June.
Have a good weekend.