TORONTO — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association delivered its submission to the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Bill C-48, which restricts access to bail. Shakir Rahim, Director of the Criminal Justice Program, said “Bail is the safeguard of liberty for the innocent. Yet pre-trial detention in Canada is astronomical and rising (over 158% increase since 1986), judges and oversight bodies describe conditions in pre-trial detention as horrific, and Indigenous and Black persons are overrepresented among those denied bail.” The CCLA recommends the removal of the reverse onus provisions in Bill C-48, in particular …
TechFreedom Testifies before Congress on AI and the Future of Our Elections
Tomorrow, TechFreedom’s Free Speech Counsel, Ari Cohn, will testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules & Administration on AI and the future of our elections. “Technology, like the expression it enables, can be used for nefarious ends. But fear of that possibility should not lead us to reflexively stifle innovation Reaqd more at TechFreedom.org
Advocates demand proper consideration for AI regulation
Canadians deserve to be protected from AI overreach, but Bill C-27’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act is not up to the task Toronto, ON — Today 45 leading civil society organisations, experts and academics released an open letter to Industry, Science, and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne outlining key concerns with the current draft of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), currently wrapped into the government’s proposed privacy bill, Bill C-27. The House of Commons Industry and Technology Committee will begin its study of the legislation tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 26. The signatories are gravely concerned that shoehorning AI regulation into Privacy …
CCLA Opposes Forced Treatment for People with Substance Abuse Issues in New Brunswick
TORONTO — Harini Sivalingam, Lawyer and Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) made the following statement: Forcing people into treatment facilities against their will is unconstitutional and unlawful. The New Brunswick government is wrong to suggest otherwise. Substance use is in some circumstances an alarming and pressing epidemic. Research shows that compelling people into treatment without their consent is counter productive and harmful. It is dangerous and irresponsible to attempt to legislate people into treatment. The New Brunswick government should respond to this public health crisis based on sound evidence …
New York Online Speech Law Is Unprecedented, TechFreedom Tells Second Circuit
Today, TechFreedom filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to affirm an order blocking a so-called hateful conduct law, enacted by the state of New York, from taking effect. General Business Law Section 394-CCC uses vague terms (e.g., “vilify,” “humiliate”) to define hate speech, Reaqd more at TechFreedom.org
CCLA’s Submission on Bill C-26 Regarding Privacy Concerns in Federal Cybersecurity Legislation
Daniel Konikoff (Interim Director of the Privacy, Technology & Surveillance program) and Tashi Alford-Duguid (Staff Lawyer) made a written submission to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) regarding Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. In this submission, CCLA addresses the concerns Bill C-26 raises for human rights and civil liberties with a particular focus on privacy. Cybersecurity is an essential part of national security, and the digital ecosystem in which we increasingly live our lives needs to be safe, …
CCLA’s Submission on Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act
Daniel Konikoff (Interim Director of the Privacy, Technology & Surveillance program) and Tashi Alford-Duguid (Staff Lawyer) made a written submission to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology regarding Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act. In this submission, CCLA speaks to the Bill’s three parts: the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA), an update to federal privacy legislation; the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act (PIDPTA), which would create a new tribunal for imposing penalties on organizations who violate key provisions of the CPPA; and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), Canada’s first …
Draft Merger Guidelines Weaken American Competitiveness
Yesterday, TechFreedom filed comments in response to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice’s (DOJ) request for comment on their proposed draft revised Merger Guidelines. “These are not Merger Guidelines for the Digital Age. Significant consideration should be given to retaining the 2010 Horizontal Merger Guidelines and 2020 Vertical Reaqd more at TechFreedom.org
CCLA Alarmed that House of Commons Will Not Hold Committee Hearings on Bill C-48
TORONTO — Shakir Rahim, Director of Criminal Justice for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), reacted to the House of Commons’ passing of Bill C-48: The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is alarmed that the House of Commons skipped the normal procedure of studying significant legislation in committee before passing Bill C-48 restricting bail. Committee hearings are essential to hear and incorporate views from experts and communities impacted by legislation. We urge the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to conduct a consultative and thorough study of Bill C-48. In its present form, Bill C-48 is …
CCLA Reacts to New Brunswick Premier
FREDERICTON — Harini Sivalingam, Director of the Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, reacted to the New Brunswick Premier today: Threatening to invoke the notwithstanding clause is an admission the New Brunswick government knows its actions are unconstitutional. -30- About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada. Media Contact: media@ccla.org Alex Nanoff – 613.709.6318 About the Canadian …
CCLA Granted Intervenor Status in Saskatchewan
TORONTO — The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has been granted leave to intervene in UR Pride v Gov of SK. The CCLA will support the legal measures necessary to protect the rights of students in Saskatchewan. CCLA is grateful to be represented pro bono on this intervention by Dan LeBlanc and Leif Jensen of LeBlancJensen Law. -30- About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms …
TechFreedom Delivers Remarks at FTC’s September Open Commission Meeting
Yesterday, two of TechFreedom’s policy experts delivered remarks at the FTC’s September Open Commission Meeting. Their oral remarks are presented here, lightly edited for clarity. Remarks of Berin Szóka, President of TechFreedom: I’m Berin Szóka, an Internet lawyer and President of TechFreedom, a think tank dedicated to striking a careful balance in Reaqd more at TechFreedom.org
