Keynote Address
Commissioner Michael McEvoy, BC OIPC
Updates in FIPPA, PIPA and PIPEDA
Panelists come together to talk about recent updates in regulations in the private and public privacy law legislation. This session will explore the Personal Information Protection Act, two new sections of Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the associated regulations and updates to the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, which provide individuals with additional control over personal information than what is prescribed under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
Jeff Holowaychuk, Clark Wilson LLP
Scott Lamb, Clark Wilson LLP
Rachel E. Schechter, Fasken
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and the Anti-Racism Data Act
On May 2, 2022, the BC Government introduced the Anti-Racism Data Act to address systemic racism in provincial programs and services. In this session, lawyers will explore how the Act creates opportunities to reduce barriers to the government’s services and to address systemic racism. Speakers also discuss the connection between the Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and share how lawyers and firms can change or implement EDI practices with this in mind.
John Tuck, Ministry of Attorney General
Michela Fiorido, Harris & Company LLP
Intimate privacy and British Columbia’s new Intimate Images Protection Act
Intimate privacy involves the protection of information about our body, health, sexuality, gender, preferences and close personal relationships. Several Canadian provinces have recently established legislation to address threats to intimate privacy, including British Columbia’s Intimate Images Protection Act (IIPA). The Act aims to expedite the process by which victims of non-consensual distribution of intimate images (NCDII) may seek civil recourse to remove such images from online platforms, prevent image distribution and seek monetary damages.
This session provides an overview of this new and growing area of privacy law, including a breakdown of IIPA, key considerations for counsel representing victims and what challenges lie ahead when it comes to protecting intimate privacy.
Claire Feltrin, Deloitte Legal Canada LLP
Generative AI: Legal and Business Considerations
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can inspire creativity, allowing users to efficiently improve their original content, from written text to photos. However, the advent of AI tools has pushed privacy issues to the forefront, such as sensitive data collection, surveillance and the lack of informed consent from users. Join us as speakers discuss what AI actually is, why lawyers should care about it, and what some of the major legal and business issues you may wish to consider before introducing AI to your practice.
Ryan Black, DLA Piper LLP
John Weigelt, Microsoft Canada
Forensic Genealogy & Privacy Rights
Forensic genealogy involves the use of DNA testing and genealogical research to identify individuals and establish familial relationships. This new technique is seeing high uptake by law enforcement agencies for its reliability and efficiency to solve crimes. But does law enforcement’s use of DNA infringe upon individual privacy? This session discusses the balance between forensic genealogy and privacy rights, how law enforcement is using this technique, and the nuances in this space.
Kyle Friesen, Surrey Police Service
Michael Heard, Bureau Director, Criminal Intelligence Service, British Columbia, Yukon
Use of Generative AI in your Practice: Ethical and Professional Considerations
While the adoption of generative AI in your practice may present opportunities for efficiency and productivity, lawyers must understand the ethical challenges that demand vigilance and adherence to professional responsibilities. Representatives from the Law Society’s Practice Advice team will discuss ethical and professional considerations specific to the use of generative AI by lawyers in the practice of law, such as competence, confidentiality, honesty and candour, information security, and fraud. By understanding and addressing these challenges, lawyers can approach the use of AI in a responsible and ethical manner while upholding the integrity of the legal profession.
Nadia Rowe, Practice Advisor, Law Society of British Columbia
Cary Ann Moore, Law Society of British Columbia
