#DemandPrivacy: More Privacy Rights, Not Less!

People in Canada deserve strong new privacy laws – but right now, a pending bill will actually WEAKEN some of our existing privacy protections.

Currently, MPs are debating amendments to Bill C-27, privacy reform legislation with loopholes that allow companies to do EVEN MORE with our sensitive data without our knowledge and consent. 

We need these holes FIXED before C-27 passes and becomes the law of the land. So let’s act together by telling our MPs that we #DemandPrivacy!

TO: Your Member of Parliament

CC: François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada

Use the box below to start crafting an email to your member of Parliament! Your MP's name will replace the placeholder {contact_data~firstName} {contact_data~lastName} text based on the postal code you enter in the form below.

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Have you ever wondered what a privacy bill would look like if it were written by industry and business groups who profit from the exploitation of our personal data? It might look something like the worst, most destructive provisions of privacy reform Bill C-27.

After years of delay, C-27 is finally in the hands of the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU). They hold the power to determine whether C-27 becomes legislation that protects our privacy rights to the fullest extent – or remains a crummy piece of legislation. Thanks to YOUR activism and dedication, the Industry Minister has already promised to amend the bill to recognize privacy as a fundamental human right in C-27 – a BIG improvement to the initial proposed bill. But we need that promise written down and passed, and to see them follow through on this commitment by fixing the other problematic aspects of the bill and making sure we have meaningful protections in place – not more flimsy promises. 

Over the year since Bill C-27 was proposed, Minister Champagne and his team have spoken hundreds of times with companies and business groups to hear what they want from Canada’s new privacy laws -and now they’re getting it in Bill C-27.1 While our data has been abused by companies like Tim Hortons,2 Clearview AI,3 and countless data brokers,4 the Minister and his team have been getting cozy with Amazon, Bell, Mastercard, CIBC, and Ford.5 The result? Provisions in privacy reform Bill C-27 that actually make it EASIER for companies to exploit our data! 

As is C-27 will introduce a whole host of new ways that companies can use our sensitive data without our knowledge, permission, or consent.6 It isn’t all bad – some strong, positive provisions are now included. But without key fixes the new bill will be a step backwards for the right to consent of people in Canada.7

But that isn’t the end of the story. Now is the BEST time for MPs to introduce amendments to this privacy bill that make it work for people. People in Canada deserve privacy reform created for the decade to come (not the one that just went). Reform that’s built upon a solid foundation of empowerment, giving us more choices about how our sensitive data can be used – not less.

If we act together to send our MPs a message, we can play a part in drafting the future of privacy in Canada. Send your message now!

Sources

  1. 12-month Lobbying Activity - Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying Canada
  2. Double-double tracking: How Tim Hortons knows where you sleep, work, and vacation – The Financial Post
  3. Clearview AI’s Facial Recognition App Called Illegal in Canada – The New York Times
  4. Mapping the Data Broker Economy: Taking Back Our Data - OpenMedia
  5. Alliance for Privacy and Innovation in Canada - Registry of Lobbyists
  6. Bill C-27: Privacy, only worse - Public Interest Advocacy Centre
  7. The Absolute Bare Minimum: Privacy and the New Bill C-27 - OpenMedia

Press: Matt Hatfield | Phone: +1 (888) 441-2640 ext. 0  | [email protected]