The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.

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The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.

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The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.

This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Elections Chief would consider disclosing voters list under right circumstances

I must have missed this one last week ...

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada apparently thinks that he'd break the law that prevents disclosing the national list of electors, if the circumstances were right. He wants the law amended so that he could provide the list to organizations like CSIS in certain circumstances:

ottawasun.com - National/World - Chief would mull sharing voters list
"Canada's chief electoral officer says he'd consider illegally sharing the confidential federal voters list in the interest of public safety.
Jean-Pierre Kingsley says the law should be changed to allow him to release the list under certain conditions, such as inquiries from Canada's spy agency.
CSIS could use the voter database as it tries to protect citizens, Kingsley said yesterday.
"Of course I can understand why that may raise some alarms. But I also understand that CSIS is a legal entity in this country," he said. "And if they're the ones asking me for something, and I find it reasonable, I'll go along with it -- if the statute is changed.
"Right now if anybody comes to see me and asks me for information -- where I could save lives potentially -- I can't give it. I'd have to break the law. It might even be possible that I would break the law if those were the circumstances."
In a report to Parliament, Kingsley also says he should have new powers to review financial reports from parties."
Labels: information breaches