Media Advisory: Government suggests controversial online spying Bill C-30 may be in the works; OpenMedia.ca available for comment

There are also prevailing concerns that the spying scheme will cost millions if not billions of dollars and Canadians will have to foot the bill.

In 2012, the organization led the Stop Online Spying petition, which garnered the support of nearly 150,000 Canadians who opposed Bill C-30’s costly, invasive, warrantless online spying measures.

The timing of the Minister’s comments coincides with the upcoming one-year anniversary of the #TellVicEverything Twitter campaign, which went viral on February 16th, 2012 and saw thousands of Canadians voice their opposition to Bill C-30.

BACKGROUND:
OpenMedia.ca is a grassroots organization that safeguards the possibilities of the open and affordable Internet. The group work towards informed and participatory digital policy.

Through campaigns such as StopTheMeter.ca and StopSpying.ca, OpenMedia.ca has engaged over half-a-million Canadians, and has influenced public policy and federal law.

CONTACT:
Lindsey Pinto – 778.238.7710 – [email protected]

More about online spying at http://stopspying.ca

Resources:

Blog: Mythbusting the mythbusting: Our response to Vic Toews' email to Canadians
National Post: Federal Online Spying Bills concern Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian
(AUDIO) The CBC's Dan Misener interviews CIPPIC's Tamir Israel about Lawful Access
Michael Geist: Web Surveillance Legislation Requires Study, Not Speed
Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Canadian police state legislation needs closer examination
Letter to Public Safety Canada from Canada's Privacy Commissioners and Ombudspersons on the current 'Lawful Access' proposals
Invasive surveillance bills will cost Canadians in cash and civil liberties, says new coalition
Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper in response to Lawful Access
Reilly Yeo and Vincent Gogolek explain why the PM will not talk about "lawful access"