NDP wants to better protect Canadians’ privacy rights

Bill C-475 would establish protection measures adapted to our digital age

In order to address a growing number of personal privacy violations, New Democrat Digital Issues Critic Charmaine Borg tabled a bill seeking to adapt privacy laws to our digital age, in the House of Commons today.

“Canadians are increasingly concerned about the security of their personal information,” said Ms. Borg (Terrebonne-Blainville). “With Bills C-30, C-12 and their inaction on data breaches, the Conservatives have been turning back the clock on privacy protection for Canadians. It is past time to adapt privacy laws to our digital age.”

By creating strong data breach notification mechanisms and increasing the enforcement powers of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and Federal Court to ensure organizations comply with the law, Bill C-475 responds to the concerns of experts, civil society groups and the Privacy Commissioner. It would implement tools that are already being used in many OECD countries.

“Bill C-475 is above all making sure that organizations keep the personal information of their users safe. It’s about making sure that Canadians are informed when their personal information has been compromised,” said Ms. Borg. “It’s also a means of protecting the most vulnerable, such as the millions of children and seniors who use the Internet every day.”