Transborder Data Flows are the Subject of a Canadian Government Policy Document

In order to update the Canadian Parliament and the public generally on the federal strategy regarding privacy concerns about the transborder and extraterritorial implications of the USA Patriot Act (Act) and the possibility that foreign legislation could affect the protection of Canadians' personal information, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat issued a report (Report) on March 28, 2006. The comprehensive Report collects current Canadian government policy in this regard and outlines a strategy for the federal government to deal with the key issues of shared responsibility (the responsibilities of federal and provincial governments, private sector businesses and individuals), how to construct a balanced approach (taking into account international trade and national security factors) and how to build on existing legislative measures. In the Executive Summary to the Report is an historical narrative of many of the key events of the past few years regarding transborder data flows, including the events of 2004 surrounding British Columbia litigation over the outsourcing of provincial government medical data to the US and the implications for vulnerability of that data to the provisions of the USA Patriot Act. Of particular note is a list of ongoing measures planned for the next year, including a review in 2006 of the principal federal privacy statute, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. For a full copy of the Report, visit: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/gospubs/TBM_128/pm-prp/pm-prp_e.asp Summary by: The Editor