I’m speaking today at a gathering of ATIP professionals here in Ottawa. It’s an annual event and I’m going to try and be as entertaining and educational as the privacy commissioner who precedes me at the podium. Each year, this gathering seems to be bigger and bigger. Much like your Symposium (and just about every other conference in the data protection industry).

I’m speaking about the past year’s privacy cases. As I prepared my notes, what struck me is that I’m going to really struggle to keep the presentation to only 30 minutes. There’s simply too much going on in privacy to try and recap. Even if I put it through a “must be groundbreaking” lens, there’s a lot to talk about.

If you’re in the audience today, let me know how I did. If you’re not, then plan on attending the Symposium next May so that you, too, can catch up and learn about the more important Canadian cases in our field. There are plenty. For example, did you know that the CBC, who was once subject to PIPEDA, was sued for violating the privacy of people they were reporting about? There are actually two cases like this in the past year alone. Another major development was the creation of the tort — at least in Ontario — of disclosing private information. Ramifications to be felt in the years to come … for sure! I could go on, and on, and on … but I’m not going to because I’m practising for my speech.

Have a great weekend.