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ARTICLE · 06 JANUARY 2020

Data Protection Changes Are Coming To Canada

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The Prime Minister's December 2019 mandate letters to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Minister of Justice and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage send out a strong message that major modifications to the rules governing online activity for both organizations and individuals are in sight.

CanadaPrivacy
Jennifer Stoddart
Jennifer Stoddart
Philippe Dion
Philippe Dion
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The Prime Minister's December 2019 mandate letters to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Minister of Justice and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage send out a strong message that major modifications to the rules governing online activity for both organizations and individuals are in sight.

Notably, the mandate letters to the three Ministers contain identical paragraphs about working together to create significant changes to the rules around personal data, literally, "a new set of online rights". The Ministers are also asked to collaborate in advancing the Digital Charter, published by Innovation Canada in May 2019, and in the creation of enhanced powers for the Privacy Commissioner.

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