Come back with a warrant by Rosalyn Davis (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/aoPzWb

Come back with a warrant by Rosalyn Davis (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/aoPzWb

Lawful Access

Lawful Access Bills Would Reshape Internet in Canada

The push for new Internet surveillance capabilities goes back to 1999, when government officials began crafting proposals to institute new surveillance technologies within Canadian networks along with additional legal powers to access surveillance and subscriber information.  The so-called lawful access initiatives stalled in recent years, but my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that earlier this month the government tabled its latest proposal with three bills (C-50, C-51, C-52) that received only limited attention despite their potential to fundamentally reshape the Internet in Canada.

The bills contain a three-pronged approach focused on information disclosure, mandated surveillance technologies, and new police powers.  

Read more ›

November 16, 2010 85 comments Columns

Lawful Access Bills Would Reshape Internet in Canada

Appeared in the Toronto Star on November 15, 2010 as Lawful Access Legislation Would Reshape Canada’s Internet The push for new Internet surveillance capabilities goes back to 1999, when government officials began crafting proposals to institute new surveillance technologies within Canadian networks along with additional legal powers to access surveillance […]

Read more ›

November 16, 2010 Comments are Disabled Columns Archive

Lawful Access Bill to Return this Fall

The Law Times reports that Justice Minister Robert Nicholson plans to reintroduce lawful access legislation this fall.  Two prior bills died on the order paper late last year.

Read more ›

September 23, 2010 1 comment News

Speech From the Throne: Digital Strategy, Copyright, Open Telecom, Lawful Access, & Cybersecurity

Today’s Speech from the Throne, which sets out the government’s agenda for coming Parliamentary session, includes a considerable number of digital issues.  These include: a digital economy strategy: “a digital economy strategy to drive the adoption of new technology across the economy” copyright reform: “to encourage new ideas and protect […]

Read more ›

March 3, 2010 67 comments News

Ten Players Who Will Shape Tech Law and Policy in 2010

Predictions about future technology law and policy developments are always fraught with uncertainty, yet identifying the key players is a somewhat easier chore.  Although Parliament is not scheduled to resume until March, my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) tracks ten who are likely to lead the way in Canada in the coming year.

Tony Clement, federal Industry Minister.  From anti-spam legislation to the national copyright consultation, Clement demonstrated a keen interest in technology issues during his first year as industry minister.  2010 should be no different, with privacy reform legislation, a new copyright bill, and rules for another wireless spectrum auction all on the agenda.  To top it off, Clement has sent strong signals that he wants to forge ahead with a long-overdue national digital strategy.

Read more ›

January 4, 2010 6 comments Columns