Public opinion surveys consistently show the vast majority of Canadians worry about the impact of the Internet and e-commerce on their personal privacy. As of January 1, 2001, Canada has new legislation that expands the privacy rights of Canadians and means a new set of obligations and responsibilities for private sector organizations. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is an officer of Parliament and is responsible for defending Canadians’ right to privacy. With the ever-increasing automation of our businesses and services – public and private – our personal and collective right to privacy has never been more vulnerable.
Canada’s new Privacy Commissioner, George Radwanski, will outline the steps which businesses must take under the new Act, the role that he will play in ensuring Canadians’ right to privacy and initiatives to be undertaken by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner toward the education of individuals and businesses regarding privacy issues.
