Media Advisory (Vancouver) - Social Change-Makers and Academics to Convene at Forum to Combat “Lawful Access” Bills

WHO:

Michael Byers -- Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law
Christopher Parsons* -- Department of Political Science, University of Victoria
Michael Vonn* -- Policy Director, BC Civil Liberties Association
Vincent Gogolek* -- Executive Director, BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Michael Markwick -- School of Communication, Simon Fraser University
Steve Anderson* -- Executive Director, OpenMedia.ca

*Available for comment

WHAT:

Public interest groups, academics, and Canadians writ large are building a movement to stop online spying. This forum, which will focus on the dangers of invasive surveillance legislation, comes in response to an anti-Internet set of bills -- coined the "Lawful Access" bills -- which the government is trying to push through without proper debate.

Lawful Access sanctions mandatory online spying that is invasive, costly, and poorly thought. The plan is to force every phone and Internet provider to surrender our personal information to "authorities" without a warrant, and without our knowledge or consent.

"We’re building a non-partisan movement of Canadians from every walk of life," says Dr. Michael Markwick of Simon Fraser University’s School of Communication. "This forum is an important step in allowing Canadians to organize for the protection of our fundamental freedom of communication. Together, we can push the federal government to stop this invasive, unnecessary and costly plan for online spying."

Canadians can register for the forum on Facebook or at http://stoponlinespying.com

WHEN:

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM

WHERE:

Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

BACKGROUND:

The Stop Online Spying campaign is supported by a group of public interest organizations, businesses, and concerned academics that have come together to encourage the government to reconsider its pending "Lawful Access" legislation (Bills C-50, C-51, and C-52). The group believes the proposed legislation enables warrantless surveillance that is invasive, excessive and costly.

Their petition to stop online spying, hosted by OpenMedia.ca, can be found at http://www.StopSpying.ca

OpenMedia.ca is a national, non-partisan, non-profit public engagement organization working to advance and support an open and innovative communications system in Canada. Their primary goal is to increase public awareness and informed participation in Canadian media, cultural, information, and telecommunications policy formation.

For more information, please contact:
Lindsey Pinto – 778.238.7710 – [email protected]

Details can also be found on Facebook or at http://stoponlinespying.com