CBA FALL LAW SERIES 2019

Presented by the CBA Privacy and Access Section

Privacy and Political Parties

The protection of personal information when collected, used and disclosed by political parties has become a hot topic. In the light of recent investigations and developments in political technologies, Canada’s privacy laws appear do not adequately protect Canadian democracy and need to be updated. Only British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act applies to provincial political parties and are subject to certain requirements when they collect, use and disclose the personal information of electors. However, the federal government has introduced Bill C-76, the Elections Modernization Act, which would make important changes to the obligations of political parties when handling personal information. This program will look at existing and proposed laws and examine what gaps may remain.

Topics will include:

• The privacy implications of the collection of personal information by political parties.
• Do electors have privacy rights when it comes to the activities of political parties?
• A discussion on what personal information political parties are entitled to collect.
• What amendments (if any) should there be to privacy legislation to address this gap in legislation?

Presenters