The full transcript of my appearance before the Industry Committee discussing Bill C-27 has now been posted online.
Post Tagged with: "ecpa"
Canada’s Digital Economy: Toward A Safer, Stronger Online Marketplace
I appeared earlier today at Industry Minister Tony Clement's Canada's Digital Economy Conference. I shared the stage with Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart and Tim Wilson from Visa Canada on a panel titled Toward A Safer, Stronger Online Marketplace. My prepared remarks are posted below:
Canada’s Digital Economy: Toward A Safer, Stronger Online Marketplace
Michael Geist, June 22, 2009
Let me begin by thanking Minister Clement – both for the invitation to speak here today and more importantly for his leadership on this critical issue. We all recognize the importance of the digital environment for commercial, cultural, educational, and communication purposes. Canada was once a proud leader in this arena and I think most would acknowledge that we have failed in recent years to articulate much-needed vision, strategy, and perhaps most importantly – urgency.
Minister Clement opened today’s conference by citing confidence as one of his key concerns. I think he’s identified a crucial concern. Privacy and security are key components in instilling this confidence, but there are other issues. I recently wrote about a digital action plan and I want to tease out several points that arise within the context of building confidence.
Ordinary Thursday Anything But For Canadian Internet
My weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that last Thursday began as an ordinary, rainy, spring day in Ottawa. Canadian politicians, having just avoided an unwanted election, were only two days away from an extended summer break. Yet by the end of the day, a trio of events unfolded that could help shape the Internet in Canada for years to come.
The first event took place mid-morning, with the introduction of new lawful access legislation. The bills would dramatically change the Internet in Canada, requiring Internet service providers to install new surveillance capabilities, force them to disclose subscriber information such as name, address, and email address without a court order, as well as grant police broad new powers to obtain Internet transmission data.
Setting the Record Straight On the ECPA (C-27)
The Industry Committee held two days of hearings on C-27, the Electronic Commerce Protection Act, this week with Industry Minister Tony Clement appearing on Tuesday and my appearance (together with CAUCE executives) on Thursday. The line of questioning on both days was very similar and it is clear that some groups are seeking to sow seeds of doubt about the legislation. I tried to address some of the misconceptions and inaccuracies during my appearance, but it is worth taking these claims head on (I will update as needed):
Debating C-27: My Appearance Before the Industry Committee
Yesterday I appeared before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology to discuss Bill C-27, the Electronic Commerce Protection Act. The Conservatives, NDP, and Bloc have also demonstrated strong support for the bill. The Liberals have been cautious, indicating that they support the principle but expressing "significant concerns" about specific provisions. My opening tried to address some of those concerns and the dialogue that followed led to a lively debate. My opening statement is posted below. Audio of the hearing available here (the transcript is not yet online).
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