News
Lack of privacy oversight could hurt buy-in for COVID contact-tracing app, say critics
By Aidan Chamandy July 2, 2020
'I get we're in a pandemic, and I'm very supportive of using the technology, but until I know that it respects the basic rights and has the highest standards, I can't see that it's going to work,' said NDP MP Charlie Angus.
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner and NDP MP Charlie Angus say they are wary of the federal government's approach to the new contact-tracing app. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
As a new national app to help trace the contacts of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 prepares for a test rollout in Ontario, opposition MPs say it hasn’t been sufficiently scrutinized by the federal and provincial privacy commissioners and that Canada’s privacy laws don’t provide enough protection for users, which could lead to a lack of trust in the app that will hurt its potential efficacy.
Aidan ChamandyAidan Chamandy is a reporter covering federal policy and parties for The Hill Times.
Follow - achamandy@hilltimes.com
Related Stories
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
Canada needs a new ‘fiscal anchor’ and Freeland needs to share financial plans, says PBO Giroux
Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux says he's found it 'much more difficult to get information out of the minister’s officer' since Parliament returned with Chrystia Freeland in charge of the nation's finances.House emergency debate on Nova Scotia lobster conflict underway, as feds say Indigenous people ‘let down,’ more police deployed to ‘keep peace’ amid rising tensions
'Because these criminal actions and violence have escalated, the response from the police in Nova Scotia has by necessity also escalated,' says Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.Demolition work well underway in the Centre Block
Workers are currently removing the painted canvas that lined the ceiling of the House of Commons Chamber and stained glass from the Memorial Chamber for restoration.
Senators zip lips on Meredith deal that includes gag order for harassed former staffers
Senators on the Internal Economy Committee have little to say about approving a deal to bind Don Meredith's harassment victims to silence in order to receive compensation for their treatment.MPs, Taiwanese envoy highlight opportunities to strengthen relations between Taiwan, Canada amid COVID-19 fallout, China tensions
Liberal MP John McKay says closer cooperation with Taiwan in the current environment represents a ‘massive opportunity with little or no downside’ NDP open to Tory special committee on WE scandal, says MP Julian, as Liberals slam the proposal
Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez would not rule out turning next week's possible vote into one of confidence, which the NDP called ‘very bizarre.’
A parliamentary recognition of Uyghur genocide will be met with a ‘strong reaction,’ says Chinese ambassador
'We will take resolute measures to safeguard our sovereignty, national security, and the development interests,' Chinese Ambassador Cong Peiwu says.Senate art group turns focus to restoration, finding gaps in Indigenous representation
‘We can do it in small steps and make big impacts,’ says Senator Patricia Bovey of a plan to broaden the Indigenous works the Chamber highlights, and help with reconciliation.Stronger social policies needed to boost resiliency, combat future pandemic threats, says Tam
‘To help us better prepare for any future pandemic, it’s about addressing health inequities, ensuring that our population is sustained and can be resilient to future threats,’ says Dr. Theresa Tam.Trending Stories
