Privacy Commissioner of Canada Renews Commitment to Privacy Research

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner announced recently that up to half a million dollars in funding will be available to aid research into privacy issues and encourage the advancement of privacy rights under the Privacy Commissioner of Canada's Contributions Program.
This year, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) is interested in receiving research proposals focusing on four priority areas:

• National Security
• Identity Integrity and Protection
• Information Technology
• Genetic Privacy and Bio-banking

The Contributions Program, for the first time ever, also is soliciting proposals for innovative public education, outreach and awareness raising initiatives.

"In the age of identity theft, data breaches and social networks, amongst other issues, public education can play such an important role in empowering people with the information to make the right choices for themselves." said Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart.

Organizations that are eligible for funding under the Program include not-for-profit organizations, such as educational institutions and industry and trade associations, as well as consumer, voluntary and advocacy organizations.

Links to projects completed under the Contributions Program in previous years are available on the OPC Web site at http://www.privcom.gc.ca/information/index_e.asp.