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Elizabeth Denham

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Elizabeth Denham

Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C.

About the Author

Since her appointment in May 2010 Elizabeth Denham, Information and Privacy Commissioner, has been actively engaged in raising the profile of information rights and promoting transparency in government in British Columbia. Denham believes in taking a modern, proactive approach to regulation. Her Office’s 2014 report Use of Police Information Checks in British Columbia led to an important policy prohibiting the disclosure of mental health and non-conviction information in employment screening, while her 2015 investigation of the Mount Polley Mine tailings pond failure concluded with a re-interpretation of the public interest disclosure requirement in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for public bodies.

Denham collaborates closely with international privacy regulators as well as with other Canadian commissioners, co-authoring statements about proposed surveillance legislation as well as guidance documents for individuals, organizations and governments. Prior to her appointment in British Columbia, she served as Assistant Privacy Commissioner of Canada and Director, Private Sector, for the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta.

Posts by this Author

Building Bridges

2015-11-18 by Elizabeth Denham - Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C.

Last week, my office was proud to host an important conference in Vancouver called Privacy and Access 20/20: The Future of Privacy. The conference sessions were thought-provoking, timely and prescient.

Minding the gaps

2016-02-18 by Elizabeth Denham - Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C.

The digital economy requires no passport… no special visa. But there’s a problem: different legal systems and cultural norms about privacy make the flow of information across borders a complicated undertaking.

Why we should care about Apple’s battle with the FBI

2016-03-03 by Elizabeth Denham - Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C.

In our complex digital age, tensions between law enforcement agencies and tech companies continue to tighten. I do not underestimate the challenges posed by international terrorism, particularly after recent attacks around the world. But I wonder: what is proper oversight and supervision of the surveillance activities of national security and law enforcement agencies?

Privacy Awareness Week 2016 celebrates 10 years

2016-05-04 by Elizabeth Denham - Information and Privacy Commissioner for B.C.

Each year in the beginning of May, privacy professionals around the world celebrate Privacy Awareness Week (PAW). Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the initiative was started by the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) back in 2006 to promote and raise awareness for numerous privacy issues and the importance of protecting information.