In a major about-face, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day has pledged that the federal government will not introduce legislation that would force ISPs to disclose customer information without a warrant. Day says the consultation document that was the subject of considerable controversy this week was circulated without his knowledge or consent. He indicated that lawful access legislation is coming in the fall but that:
"We have not and we will not be proposing legislation to grant police the power to get information from Internet companies without a warrant. That's never been a proposal. It may make some investigations more difficult, but our expectation is rights to our privacy are such that we do not plan, nor will we have in place, something that would allow the police to get that information."
This is obviously welcome news and represents a remarkable change from earlier this week when the secret consultation document envisioned only disclosure of CNA information without a warrant. The politics of this move are particularly interesting as it leaves the Conservatives favouring court oversight and Liberals – with their support of the Jennings private members bill – opposing it.
this sounds good, but I’m a little concerned by Day’s words:
“We have not and we will not be proposing legislation to grant police the power to get information from Internet companies without a warrant. That’s never been a proposal. It may make some investigations more difficult, but our expectation is rights to our privacy are such that we do not plan, nor will we have in place, something that would allow the police to get that information.”
He specifically says “police” (twice) will not have free access to such info.
What about Safety Canada and other organizations? If Safety Canada is still accepting submissions, then it isn’t entirely squashed, is it?
Barring his wording, Stockwell Day has earned some good brownie points for himself and the merry band of Conservatives. With wins in Quebec by-elections, the C’s may just pull off a mojority if they’re not careful.
Your Brain
That was awfully white of you Stockwell Day.
But only an Ahole would float that out in a free country. That is the type of BS we expect out of China.
Thats why we will never need a majority Gov from your Camp.
Designated Tester
This is a test comment. Please ignore this.