This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
Canada: 
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The federal privacy watchdog’s recommendation to unearth statistical data related to electronic snooping has being disregard by members of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet. In an open letter by Interim Privacy Commissioner, Chantal Bernier, she directly urges four cabinet ministers and the federal government’s chief bureaucrat to reform Ottawa’s electronic snooping practices between February and March. Only one cabinet minister, Treasury Board President Tony Clement, responded to Bernier’s letter.
In her comments after the letter was addressed, Bernier alleged that “we are hopeful that we may be heard.” She explained that “I have written to every minister that has one of (our) recommendations directly within their field of competence . . . (saying), ‘I would like to hear how you would address this recommendation.’ ” In her letter, Bernier asks Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney, Justice Minister Peter MacKay and Defence Minister Rob Nicholson to broaden oversight for Canada’s spy agencies, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE).
In addition to that, Bernier has urged the Clerk of the Privy Council, Wayne Wouters, to release an overview detailing Canada’s security and intelligence operations, along with a detailed description of the processes of intelligence gathering and internal controls. Bernier suggested that the PCO should explain the relationship between Canadian spies and their international partners. She alleged that Nicholson should have CSE produce annual statistics in aiding other law enforcement agencies, along with an annual report to Parliament. She also recommended MacKay to reform existing privacy laws to curb over-collection of personal data, and to control its disclosure.
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