OTTAWA, July 6, 2005 -- "Canada must generate new knowledge to
support the development of expertise in selected areas of privacy and data
protection if we are to advance the privacy rights of Canadians," announced
Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Jennifer Stoddart, today in launching the
second annual $200,000 Contributions Program.
"Three quarters of Canadians surveyed in a recently commissioned EKOS
Research Associates survey, told us that the protection of their personal
information is one of the most important issues facing the country. We are
delighted to renew our commitment to funding research into the privacy issues
of greatest concern to Canadians." said Ms. Stoddart.
In an effort to address knowledge gaps and to provide guidance for the
development of privacy policy and best practices, this year's program will
focus on the following three key priorities:
Issues related to the upcoming Parliamentary review of Part 1 of the
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA),
including, but not necessarily limited to:
the scope of the Act;
oversight models;
the consent provisions;
trans-border data flows;
identifying purposes; and
investigative activities.
Workplace privacy-for example, issues related to workplace monitoring,
the use of technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID)
or location devices to track employees and, more generally, the
application of Canadian privacy legislation to employee personal
information.
The collection, use and disclosure of DNA samples by the private sector
for a variety of purposes, including DNA analysis services available to
the public for personal reasons such as paternity testing or
genetically determined diseases and business reasons such as employee
screening or identification.
According to David Flaherty, a leading international privacy expert and
member of the Office's External Advisory Committee, the continuation of the
Contributions Program will advance and foster the promotion and understanding
of privacy rights of Canadians.
"I am very pleased that the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
is renewing this important initiative that will enable privacy communities
across Canada to keep pace with cutting-edge technologies that threaten
personal privacy," said Dr. Flaherty.
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.
The maximum amount that can be awarded for any single research project is
$50,000. Organizations are eligible to receive funding for only one project.
Projects must be completed within the fiscal year in which the funding
was provided. The deadline to submit applications is August 19, 2005.
Links to the projects completed under the 2004-2005 Contributions Program
will be available shortly on the OPC's Web site.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is mandated by
Parliament to act as an ombudsman, advocate and guardian of the privacy and
protection of personal information rights of Canadians.
For further information on the Contributions Program:
2005-2006 Program Summary
2005-2006 Applicant's Guide (PDF)
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Information:
Renée Couturier
Acting Director
Public Education and Communications
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Tel.: (613) 995-0103
E-mail: rcouturier@privcom.gc.ca
