Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 16 APRIL 2020

Geolocation And The Fight Against COVID-19

Aird & Berlis LLP
Explore more from Aird & Berlis LLP

While COVID-19 is a "novel" coronavirus, the tension it stokes between public welfare and personal freedom is anything but new. In the 1970s, our nation had a divided response to the federal ...

CanadaPrivacy
Paige Backman
Paige Backman
Stephanie D’Amico
Stephanie D’Amico
Author LinkedIn connections

Could the Emergencies Act Overrule Privacy Law Protections for Cellphone Location Data?

(1) The longstanding tension between public safety and civil liberty

While COVID-19 is a "novel" coronavirus, the tension it stokes between public welfare and personal freedom is anything but new. In the 1970s, our nation had a divided response to the federal government's invocation of the War Measures Act to suppress terrorism during the October Crisis. More recently, the same themes emerged in debates about the controversial Patriot Act in the wake of 9/11 in the United States. The delicate balance between public safety and civil liberty is a fixture of democratic society and has, once again, come to the fore as the world grapples with a global pandemic for the first time in more than one hundred years.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Implications Of Bill C-34, Canada’s Proposed Online Safety Framework, For Organizations

Canada's proposed Digital Safety Act introduces sweeping new obligations for social media platforms, AI chatbots, and interactive online services, requiring operators to protect children, mitigate harmful content, and implement age-verification measures. Organizations face substantial penalties of up to 5% of global revenue for non-compliance, backed by a new federal regulator with broad enforcement powers. What steps should your organization take now to prepare for this emerging regulatory framework?
CanadaPrivacy
MLT Aikins LLP
MLT Aikins LLP
Article

Canada’s Children’s Privacy Code: What It Means For Your Organization

On October 20, 2026, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) released its Children’s Privacy Code (“the Code”). It is not new legislation, but that does not make it optional. The Code lays out how the OPC reads the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) when children’s personal information is involved online, and it is a clear preview of what the regulator will look for in complaints and investigations.
CanadaPrivacy
McKercher LLP
McKercher LLP
Article

Privacy, Data Protection, And Cybersecurity: What Foreign Companies Must Consider Before Entering The Canadian Market

Foreign companies entering Canada often assume their existing privacy programs designed for GDPR or CCPA compliance can simply extend to Canadian operations, but Canada's legal requirements demand targeted modifications. This comprehensive guide examines Canada's private sector privacy legislation, breach reporting obligations, AI governance expectations, and anti-spam regulations that businesses must navigate before launching in the Canadian market.
CanadaPrivacy
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

The New Canadian Children's Privacy Code Could Impact Your Organization

Canada's Office of the Privacy Commissioner has launched the country's first Children's Privacy Code, establishing comprehensive guidelines for how organizations must handle the personal information of minors online. The Code introduces strict requirements around consent, data minimization, and prohibits practices like behavioral profiling for marketing purposes, with expectations that organizations implement age-appropriate privacy protections now rather than waiting for upcoming legislative changes.
CanadaPrivacy
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

OPC Issues New PIPEDA Guidance On Assessing Third-Party Service Providers

Canada's privacy regulator has released new draft guidance establishing comprehensive due diligence standards for organizations evaluating third-party service providers under PIPEDA. The framework introduces eleven best practices covering everything from data flow mapping and AI training data sourcing to vendor lock-in risks and ongoing monitoring obligations, signaling heightened expectations for privacy accountability in vendor relationships.
CanadaPrivacy
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

Canada’s OpenAI Findings: What Businesses Need To Know About AI And Privacy Compliance

Canadian privacy regulators have completed a joint investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT, examining whether the company's collection, use, and disclosure of personal information complies with federal and provincial private-sector privacy legislation. The investigation involved the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada alongside regulators from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, scrutinizing OpenAI's practices in developing and operating its AI chatbot platform.
CanadaPrivacy
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

The PULSE Report: Governance Of Ontario’s Electric Utilities And Implementation Of Required Changes

Ontario's PULSE report and Bill 140 propose sweeping governance reforms for municipally owned electricity distribution utilities and their holding companies, mandating independent boards and new capital planning requirements by 2027. These changes aim to attract institutional investment for $120 billion in infrastructure expansion, but will require utilities to restructure shareholder agreements, recruit new directors, and implement complex governance arrangements within an extremely compressed timeline.
CanadaCorporate/Commercial Law
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Ontario Proposes Significant Changes To Property Tax Exemptions And Assessment Roll Access – But No Reassessment Planned

Ontario's Fall Economic Statement introduces significant changes to property tax exemptions affecting charitable affordable housing providers and university student residences, while also making assessment roll information publicly accessible online for the first time. These proposed amendments to the Assessment Act will require property owners to reassess their exemption eligibility and tax obligations.
CanadaTax
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Canada’s 2026 AI Strategy: What Businesses Need To Know

Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy marks a significant shift in federal AI policy, moving away from standalone legislation toward a comprehensive framework that emphasizes privacy reform, data sovereignty, and business adoption. The Strategy outlines six interconnected pillars designed to position Canada as a global AI leader while addressing regulatory gaps through existing legal frameworks and new policy tools.
CanadaTechnology
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Canada’s OpenAI Findings: What Businesses Need To Know About AI And Privacy Compliance

Canadian privacy regulators have completed a joint investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT, examining whether the company's collection, use, and disclosure of personal information complies with federal and provincial private-sector privacy legislation. The investigation involved the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada alongside regulators from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, scrutinizing OpenAI's practices in developing and operating its AI chatbot platform.
CanadaPrivacy
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Holdback Deficiencies And Mortgage Priority: Court Of Appeal For Ontario Clarifies S. 78(2) Of The Construction Act

The Court of Appeal for Ontario has resolved a critical uncertainty in construction law regarding how holdback deficiencies should be calculated when owners fail to retain statutory holdbacks. The decision addresses whether contractors who have already been paid can claim additional priority over construction mortgages, and establishes important boundaries to prevent double recovery while balancing the interests of all parties in the construction pyramid.
CanadaReal Estate and Construction
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP