Welcome to a new CBA year! I am delighted to serve as your 2023/2024 Chair alongside our dynamic and talented Executive. I would like to welcome our new Executive members and extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Past Chair, Caroline Deschenes, for her strong leadership and dedication to our Section’s work.
To the outgoing Executive members, thank you for your service to our Section. Our Section plays an important role in shaping the legal discourse and helping our members navigate the ever-evolving landscape of privacy and access law in Canada. Recent technological advancements and the digitalization of our lives have ushered in a host of challenging legal considerations involving digital tools driven by AI technology and biometrics. This is an exciting time, and our Section’s work is more relevant than ever. In particular, I encourage you to attend our upcoming Privacy & Access Law Symposium, which tackles some of these cutting-edge topics.
Don’t Miss Out: CBA Privacy and Access Law Symposium – November 9-10, 2023
Join us in Ottawa November 9-10 for our in-person annual Symposium, where an exciting agenda awaits you! We’ve assembled a lineup of subject-matter experts who will bring you up to speed on recent developments and engage you in cutting-edge discussions surrounding privacy and access to information law. Take advantage of valuable in-person networking opportunities and be sure not to miss our popular Canadian Update session, the Regulators’ panel, and the International Update session. It’s your chance to stay informed, connect with peers, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of these critical fields.
REGISTER NOW →
Fall 2023/2024 Law Series
Our Section has two exciting upcoming webinars. Secure your spot today!
Warrantless Searches of Personal Electronic Devices at Borders – October 31, 2023
Most travellers now carry mobile electronic devices like smartphones, with sensitive personal information. Bill S-7 amends the Customs Act and the Preclearance Act, 2016 to clarify the circumstances in which officers may examine and search documents stored on these devices.
While information collection and sharing at the border is necessary to ensure the security of Canadians, it can also lead to harmful consequences in some circumstances. An appropriate balance must be achieved to protect Canadians’ safety and preserve their privacy rights and freedoms.
Our speakers will share their insights and approaches to the legal issues that emanate from a warrantless search of one’s PED’s.
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In-House Tips to Develop and Update a Privacy Management Program – January 29, 2024
In an ever-evolving privacy landscape, both locally and globally, laws and regulations are amended and adopted every year. Canadian businesses, operating in our interconnected world, often fall under various privacy regimes, some of which carry substantial fines for non-compliance. Having a privacy management program has become an essential best practice, and even an express statutory requirement in some instances. A well-designed privacy management program is thus key to avoiding both the legal and business risks of non-compliance.
Join our webinar for practical insights and real-life examples on developing and updating effective privacy management programs suitable for businesses of all sizes in light of recent developments.
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Essay Contest Winner
The Section is pleased to announce Keita Szemok-Uto as the winner of CBA Privacy and Access Law Section Student Essay Contest for the paper “We Are Not Ready for Deepfakes: How Canadian Privacy Torts Do Not Adequately Address the Unique Harm Posed by Targeted Deepfakes”. Keita Szemok-Uto recently completed the Juris Doctor (JD) degree at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.
We Want To Hear From You!
I encourage you to bring your insights, experience and passion to our Section’s activities. Besides attending the CBA Privacy & Access Law Symposium or one of our upcoming Law Series webinars, you can submit a member article to be published on our webpage, or participate in our advocacy work. If you want to get involved or have suggestions, please contact us.
Finally, I am honoured to be the incoming Chair for 2023-2024. I look forward to working with our talented Executive to advance our Section’s mandate and continue bringing value to our members.
Sinziana Gutiu
Chair, CBA Privacy and Access Law Section, 2023-2024