For years, the Canadian government has been the standard bearer for privacy reform in Canada as the Privacy Act and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) provide a benchmark for provincial and municipal privacy rules. However, with federal reform lagging, municipalities and provinces are rapidly emerging as the leaders in privacy innovation. From local video surveillance, to the use of artificial intelligence, and facial recognition technologies, the privacy law gap is being filled by cities, towns, and provinces that cannot afford to wait for federal guidance. This keynote presentation will canvass the landscape in innovative privacy rules and consider what these developments mean for the future of privacy law and policy.

Keynote Presenter:
Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, University of Ottawa

This session will explore the intersection of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) in a municipal context. We will discuss how municipalities should navigate the differences between the two Acts, specifically against the backdrop of a pandemic.

Presenter:
Else Khoury, Consultant, Seshat Information Consulting

We have entered a new era of privacy. Emerging regulations, media coverage, and high-profile data breaches have placed a spotlight on privacy rights and issues. This trajectory is expected to continue as organizations embrace digital transformationinitiatives, increasing the amount of personal information in their custody and control. Municipalities that implement modernized privacy programs will be well-positioned to mitigate financial and reputational risk while enhancing trust with their stakeholders. Learn more about best practices utilized by both public and private sector organizations to move beyond ‘ticking the compliance boxes’ and adopting a privacy-first operating model.

​Presenters:
Kris Klein, Managing Partner, nNovation LLP
Shaun McIver, Founder and CEO, Vayle Inc. 
Daniel Zborovski, Head of Cybersecurity, Vayle Inc. 

In this session, we will review the key access and privacy provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

Join us to discuss recent decisions from Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) and the courts that are relevant to the municipal sector. We will also discuss how MFIPPA applies to councillor records and when the frivolous and vexatious exclusion can be claimed.

Presenter:
David Goodis, Partner, INQ Law

From water, transportation, energy and more, our lives are shaped by the critical infrastructure services provided by our municipal governments. These systems have increasingly been connected to information technologies over the past few decades to improve efficiency and service delivery. The reliance on these Internet-connected systems leaves critical municipal infrastructure open to new domestic and foreign exposures and threats that can have devastating consequences. With rising cyber attacks and geopolitical tensions, we’ll discuss how municipalities can be supported in their work to protect their critical infrastructure systems.

Presenters:
Sumit Bhatia, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Director, Innovation and Policy
Annalise Czerny, Annalise Czerny Consulting Inc.
Omar Ahmed, Managing Partner, Ipseity
Kush Sharma, Director, Municipal Modernization & Partnerships, Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA)

Learn how the IPC has dealt with COVID-19 and hear about new initiatives in progress. Presenters will discuss exceptions to the right of access, specifically frivolous and vexatious requests, labour relations exclusion, and solicitor-client privilege. Finally, we will examine vaccine passports, highlighting the recent University of Guelph report and municipal concerns related to risk exposure.

Presenters:
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Warren Mar, Assistant Commissioner, Tribunal and Dispute Resolution Service
Gillian Shaw, Director of Adjudication