Pulling Back the Curtain on Canada's Mass Surveillance Programs
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
- Written by editor
Dear Friend,
Nearly a decade ago, the BCCLA filed lawsuits challenging secret spying programs operated by the Communications Security Establishment (“CSE”). As the government agency responsible for collecting intelligence from communications and computer systems and securing Canadian government cybersecurity, CSE has a duty to handle citizens' personal information with care.
The BCCLA challenged CSE’s mass surveillance of Canadians’ telephone and internet communications, arguing that their bulk collection of metadata and private communications violated Canadians' Charter rights to privacy.
After years of secret hearings, the case is now over. The BCCLA’s litigation ended with the government making sweeping changes to how Canada’s spy agencies operate, including an entirely new review body that can receive public complaints and new policies restricting how the identities of individuals can be shared.
While there are vast improvements to the secrecy and lack of accountability formerly in place, this new system... is far from perfect. The powers given to Canada’s intelligence agencies continue to be overly broad.
From advocating for policy changes that strengthen your digital privacy at the border and in your everyday life, to defending your privacy in the courts and educating people through our public legal education, the BCCLA is continuing to step up on behalf of Canadians’ privacy rights.
This work would not be possible without your support. Thank you for being on our side.
Sincerely,
Vibert Jack (he/him)
Litigation Director
P.S. Watch for Part Two in our series, including the public release of never-before-seen documents detailing the CSE’s surveillance practices, this January!
The BCCLA was represented by David Martin of Martin & Associates, Sebastian Ennis of Iris Legal, and Neil Abraham of Olthuis van Ert in this case. The BCCLA was also represented by Joseph Arvay, O.C., O.B.C., Q.C. Bill Robinson and Greg McMullen served as experts on the case.
