Recorded on: February 28, 2023
Length: 60 minutes
Summary
Lawyers Daniel Reid and Keri Bennett, and Jason Woywada and Mike Larsen of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association, answer questions on the privacy issues that come up in daily life.
Highlights
In this webinar, you will learn:
What “the right to privacy” actually means and who decides what is protected. [3:00]
Common, everyday situations that engage your rights to privacy. [6:20]
What the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) is, and the role it plays in promoting and defending freedom of information and privacy rights in Canada. [8:50]
Who has access to your health records and what you can do if you don’t want others to see them. [11:25]
What information a prospective employer can collect about you as a background check, including whether they can ask for a criminal record check. [14:25]
Whether a landlord can require you to submit your bank records before renting to you. [17:20]
What to watch for when you agree to privacy policies online and how to protect your data when using apps or making online purchases. [19:40]
Whether a stranger can take a photo or video of you in a public place. [24:35]
When it’s okay for employers to install surveillance in the workplace, including video surveillance and remote monitoring. [26:40]
Whether law enforcement can monitor your whereabouts or ask to see your phone. [29:45]
What signs to look for if you think you have had your identity stolen and what you can do about it. [34:45]
What recourse you have if your privacy rights have been breached. [39:25]
How to access your health records. [42:55]
What privacy laws govern the taking of videos or photos at public events. [44:25]
Who is allowed to ask you for your social insurance number. [46:55]
Whether a strata can store personal information about owners outside of Canada. [50:15]
Whether video taken of a neighbour causing a nuisance on your property can be used in bringing a court case. [52:20]
Featuring
Jason Woywada
Jason Woywada is the executive director of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA). Prior to joining FIPA, Jason worked as a broadcast journalist, in a variety of roles at the legislative assembly in Manitoba, and as a policy analyst with the Ministry of Citizens’ Services in BC. Through the International Association of Privacy Professionals, he is a Certified Information Privacy Professional Canada (CIPP/C) and a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). He has a Masters of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business.
Mike Larsen
Mike Larsen is president of the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA), a non-partisan, non-profit society dedicated to promoting and defending the freedom of information and privacy rights in Canada. He is a faculty member and chair of the Criminology Department at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where he teaches courses on criminal justice, criminological theory, law and society, and crime and media. His research deals with access to information, privacy, and security practices.
Daniel Reid
Daniel Reid is a lawyer with Harper Grey LLP in Vancouver. He maintains a broad defamation, privacy, health law and insurance practice, with particular experience in online defamation, breach of privacy, and professional negligence cases. Daniel is cited by the Supreme Court of Canada in the leading case concerning liability attached to hyperlinks. Daniel is a sought after speaker on legal/technological issues. In his health law practice, Daniel represents clients in civil legal matters and has appeared at all levels of court in BC and at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Keri Bennett
A lawyer at DLA Piper, Keri Bennett provides strategic advice and representation to public and private sector clients in all areas of privacy, access to information and workplace law matters. Keri is certified by the Information and Privacy Professionals Association (IAPP/C), past chair of the CBA Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section (BC Branch), and an executive member of the Canadian Association of Counsel for Employers privacy committee. She regularly speaks and writes on privacy law issues.
Attendee feedback
“Excellent in every respect. Wake up calls in a number of areas, and very practical as well. Can’t wait till the next one. Mucho kudos.”
“These sessions are very helpful and I learn a tremendous amount by attending them.”
“Amazing webinar, info and panel — never disappoints.”
“Excellent webinar today on privacy. Great panel of speakers and excellent questions. I absorbed a lot. Thanks for hosting these and putting them together; much appreciated. 5 stars from me.”
"This webinar was an eye-opener to my privacy rights in BC. Thanks alot to those who are behind the success of the presentation. We deeply appreciate your efforts 👌."
"Particularly enjoyed the diversity of the presenters ... and the excellent traffic direction by the moderator."
“People's Law School is an amazing organization. Trustworthy is my highest praise.”
Additional resources
From People’s Law School:
Background checks and your personal information, including when a landlord or employer wants a background check
Privacy rights at work, including what information an employer can ask for, video surveillance, and workplace monitoring
Cellphone privacy, including if a police officer or border agent wants to search your cellphone
Medical records, including who has access to them and how you can access yours
From Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA):
From the BC privacy commissioner:
From the federal privacy commissioner:
Privacy laws:
BC’s Personal Information Protection Act protects your privacy rights with private organizations, like stores, hotels, and private sector employers
BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act protects your privacy rights with public organizations, like local governments, schools, and hospitals
Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act applies to employers in federally-regulated industries such as telecommunications and banking
BC’s Privacy Act allows someone to sue for a breach of privacy
Also:
R. v. Fearon, leading case from the Supreme Court of Canada on police powers to search someone’s cellphone
Federal bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act