Archive for December 2nd, 2013

The Federal Government’s Complete E-Government Failure

Appeared in the Toronto Star on November 30, 2013 as Ottawa’s Complete E-Government Failure Ten years ago, Canada held the distinction of being the top ranked country in the world for the breadth and sophistication of its electronic government services. Citing the Canadian government’s integrated, strategic approach, annual assessments by […]

December 2, 2013 — Comments are Disabled — Columns Archive

Justice Parliamentary Secretary Links Cable Theft to Terrorist Plots, Cyberbullying

Media coverage of the government’s introduction of Bill C-13, the lawful access/cyberbullying bill, quickly focused on the inclusion of provisions that seemingly had little to do with cyberbullying, including terrorism and theft of cable. While the government has tried to justify the omnibus approach on the grounds that it is modernizing investigative powers in the Criminal Code, it is striking that some MPs have claimed that there is an even more direct link.

Bob Dechert, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, said the following during debate on Bill C-13 in the House of Commons:

December 2, 2013 — 8 comments — News

MacKay Still Providing Inaccurate Information on Bill C-13’s Voluntary Disclosure Provision

Justice Minister Peter MacKay appeared last week before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and was asked once again about the inclusion in Bill C-13 of an immunity provision for intermediaries for the voluntary disclosure of personal information. MacKay again suggested that warrants would be required for disclosure, yet this is simply inaccurate. The exchange:

December 2, 2013 — 3 comments — News

Clement Confirms Canadian Non-Commercial Crown Copyright Licence Still Available

Treasury Board President Tony Clement has confirmed in a tweet that the federal government’s non-commercial crown copyright licence remains available. He indicates that a notice to this effect will be posted shortly. I blogged about the removal of the licence with the change in how the government handles crown copyright […]

December 2, 2013 — 2 comments — News