Communications law in Canada addresses fair and affordable access to telecommunications and broadcasting services, network neutrality principles, and the promotion of healthy competition among providers. CIPPIC's communications law public interest advocacy before regulators and the courts prioritizes consumer rights and an accessible and competitive digital environment benefiting all Canadians.

Communications

Consumer protection law safeguards individuals against unfair business practices, addresses unfair contracts, and upholds consumer rights. A fair and just marketplace fosters trust between businesses and consumers, contributing to economic stability and societal well-being. CIPPIC’s advocacy promotes transparency, accountability, access to justice, and fairness in the online marketplace. 

Consumer Protection

Innovations in data analysis enable new services and promote new perspectives. However, the emergence of big data also raises issues involving privacy, human rights, and equality among the beneficiaries of innovation. CIPPIC's public interest data advocacy promotes robust privacy laws, transparency in data practices, and equitable access to the benefits of innovation for all Canadians.

Data

Canadian laws regulating expression balance freedom of speech with other human rights values while fostering innovation. The regulation of digital expression seeks to ensure a diverse and inclusive public discourse, and to prevent harm and discrimination. CIPPIC's public interest advocacy on expression promotes balanced laws that uphold fundamental rights, encourage creativity, and foster an open and accessible digital environment.

Digital Expression

Privacy is a core human right, essential to Canadians’ dignity, to the enjoyment of other fundamental freedoms, and to a healthy democracy. CIPPIC advocates for strong informational privacy laws, effective civil liberties, and legal recognition of privacy interests that reflect privacy’s importance to core Canadian values.  

Privacy

Digital technologies promote creativity and innovation, but bring with them security challenges. Canada’s security laws address interests from consumer protection and civil liberties, to law enforcement, national security and enterprise protection. CIPPIC advocates for security laws that respect privacy and promote innovation while addressing legitimate law enforcement and commercial interests.

Security

Public interest protections against unchecked exploitation of AI prevent discriminatory practices, protect privacy and creativity, and vindicate social values. CIPPIC advocates for an AI regulatory environment favouring responsible innovation, transparency, and competition. 

Artificial Intelligence

Civil liberties lie at the core of Canadian democratic values. The very purpose of our nation is to promote freedoms and liberties consistent with a community of equals. CIPPIC advocates for respect for civil liberties and freedom from government intrusion, essential values to a functioning democracy.

Surveillance

Copyright law encourages creativity and innovation by balancing the exclusive rights of owners against the need of users - and of future creators and innovators - for fair access to creative works. CIPPIC advocates for balance in copyright policy debates arising at the intersection of law and technology.

Copyright

Accessibility law promotes equality by ensuring equitable access to goods, services, and information for all Canadians. The law seeks to remove barriers and foster inclusion, enabling full participation in society and access to justice for all. CIPPIC advocates for equal opportunities and accessible online environments.

Accessibility

Canada’s legal framework promoting technological innovation aims to balance economic incentives with respect for human rights and the interests of intellectual property rights owners. Canada’s laws seek to encourage responsible innovation while safeguarding individual freedoms and existing economic interests. CIPPIC advocates for laws that strike this balance, supporting innovation while respecting the legitimate interests of rights holders and all Canadians’ human rights.

Innovation

Open information fosters innovation while respecting privacy and creativity. Open licenses, like data licenses and Creative Commons licenses, encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing while protecting creators' rights. CIPPIC advocates for approaches to information law that promote creativity and innovation, and empower individuals to access and share information freely and responsibly.

Issues

Latest

The Federal Court of Appeal ruled against Facebook for breach of Canadian Privacy Law by failing to obtain meaningful consent and protect user data

Online Streaming Act showdown may spook streamers.

uOttawa Law Students: January Academic Internships Application Deadline November 1