Technology companies increasingly lobby the Canadian federal government. The Tech Lobby Project regularly submits Access to Information (ATI) requests for records relating to lobbying communications between Canadian federal government departments and companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitter, Sidewalk Labs and Uber. Read more about our ATI requests here. Below you can find a list of the documents we’ve received recently in response to our ATI requests.
You can subscribe to receive a list of descriptions of recent ATI responses we have received by monthly email by signing up to our monthly email listserv here. For more information, or to access the documents themselves, please email Sara Bannerman at banners@mcmaster.ca
Received in November 2023
Google Canada Corporation
| Document Link | Reference |
| The document includes an email exchange between Colin McKay (head of public policy and government relations, Google Canada) and Simon Kennedy (Deputy Minister) for ISED regarding Karan Bhatia (Google VP and Global Head of Policy). Colin has informed Simon that Karan will be visiting Ottawa on May 5th and has asked if Simon would be able to meet with Google’s VP. Simon agreed to the meeting, scheduled for May 5th. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00977 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #534872 Involving Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Google Canada Corporation on May 05, 2022. ’ (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
Elections Canada ATI Re-Requests Received
| Document Link | Reference |
| The document details an official acknowledgment of a name change for a political party. The name of the party is the ‘People’s Party of Canada’ and in short form the name is ‘People’s Party’. The document includes additional information regarding the party name registration. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00077 Any Correspondence between the People’s Party of Canada and Elections Canada Officials Regarding the Party’s Privacy Policy. Timeframe: Dec. 13, 2018 to Present (March 5, 2021). Please Include Emails as Well as Letters. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| Document includes a report on top stories (2020-02-03) for Elections Canada. Articles included under the following themes: political entities, government, electoral security, data privacy, provincial written by various Canadian news outlets. In addition, the document also includes a social media monitoring report for the period from December 19, 2019 – January 9, 2020. The social media report includes social media insights: views, comments, published perspectives on several posts. In addition, Elections Canada’s social media accounts volume and key topics. Email exchange regarding a complaint lodged against Rebel Media and Levant. There were several complaints regarding the article “The Rebel to Rabbie Review: Ezra Levant vs. Commissioner of Canada Elections” | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00087 Provide Copies of All Documents, Including Emails, Texts or Instant Messages, Memos, Briefing Notes, Media Lines, Reports, Notes, Etc., Making Any Mention of Ezra Levant and/or The Rebel/Rebel News, since August 1, 2019. Please Include Both Elections Canada and Commissioner of Canada Elections Records. Information Requested Would Be Related to This Article: Https://Nationalpost.Com/Opinion/Rex-Murphy-Ezra-Levant-Wrote-a-Book-Critical-of-the-Liberals-Now-Hes-Being-Investigated. Exclude Complaints from the Public. Don’t Have to Include Documents or Notes Stemming from a Complaint from the Public Such as, but Not Limited to, System Notes Indicating That a Complaint Has Been Received, Assessed, Closed, Etc. or Responses Sent to Complainant. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a social media analysis of posts and opinions on election issues. Ex, many concerns around the Dominion Voting System, even though Election Canada has clarified that they are not used here to count ballots many people believe that since the company is Canadian that it is being used. This is a contentious issue because many question the validity of the last election (2020). Additional social media analysis on the performance of Election Canada’s posts, articles on the Muslim Vote and Dominion Voting System. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00041 Please Provide a Copy of Any Emails and/or Briefing Notes to and from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer Regarding Posts on Elections Canada’s Social Media Channels (i.e. Twitter Account) about the 2020 U.S. Election. Please Also Include Records Regarding Posts Responding to Posts from Other Users, Such as, but Not Limited to, Comments, Questions or Potential Misinformation. Timeframe Is Oct. 15, 2020 to November 17, 2020. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a letter to the Prime Minister regarding the policy for the protection of personal information that is coming into force on April 1, 2019. More specifically, the Elections Modernization Act (Bill C-76). | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A- 2020-00071 Any Correspondence between the Liberal Party of Canada and Elections Canada Officials Regarding the Party’s Privacy Policy. Timeframe: December 13, 2018, to Present. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| Document includes a letter to Party Leader Jagmeet Singh regarding the policy for the protection of personal information that is coming into force on April 1, 2019. More specifically, the Elections Modernization Act (Bill C-76). | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00072 Any Correspondence between the New Democratic Party of Canada and Elections Canada Officials Regarding the Party’s Privacy Policy. Timeframe: December 13, 2018, to Present. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| Document includes a letter to the Honourable Andrew Scheer (Party Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada) regarding the policy for the protection of personal information that is coming into force on April 1, 2019. More specifically, the Elections Modernization Act (Bill C-76). | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00073 Any Correspondence between the Conservative Party of Canada and Elections Canada Officials Regarding the Party’s Privacy Policy. Timeframe: December. 13, 2018, to Present. Updated Privacy Policy from the Conservative Party. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| Document includes a letter to Party Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet (Bloc Quebecois) regarding the policy for the protection of personal information that is coming into force on April 1, 2019. More specifically, the Elections Modernization Act (Bill C-76). | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00075 Any Correspondence between the Bloc Québécois and Elections Canada Officials Regarding the Party’s Privacy Policy. Timeframe: Dec. 13, 2018 to Present (March 5, 2021). Please Include Emails as Well as Letters. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a set of complaints that were sent to Elections Canada regarding immigration, privacy, spam calls and elections. Several of the complaints are regarding constituents’ private information used for canvasing (doorknocking, calls for support etc.) and whether the release of the contact list(s) breaks privacy law. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00076 Any Records, Including but Not Limited to Meeting Minutes, Briefing Notes, Memos and Correspondence, from Jan 1, 2019, to Oct. 21, 2019, Whose Content Is Related to Privacy Concerns and Complaints against Federal Political Parties. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The file includes preparatory documents for a Technical Meeting regarding data connection, reporting on election night, IT renewal and a testing schedule. In addition, a list of candidates that were given to the media consortium and the draft agenda. In addition, several report details in preparation for the election including zones, ED Code, OLE Count and more. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00016 Provide All Records Concerning the Provision of Election Data to Agents of the Canadian Press (CP), the Media Consortium, Dave Matthews or “Matthews Communications.” Please Include All Agreements, Contracts and Communications to and from Any of the Parties Regarding the Subject of the Provision of Election Result Data. Time Frame from 2011 to September 27, 2021. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a briefing note to the CEO from Anne Lawson (Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Regulatory Affairs) regarding the Electoral Integrity Framework. They were seeking approval for the Electoral Integrity Framework. Stephane Perrault signed and approved the framework | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00003 A Copy of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer’s Briefing Note Reference #2022-103853 (Electoral Integrity Framework). Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a briefing note to the CEO from Serge Caron regarding the Enterprise Data Service Project. The project needs the CEO to approve an initial funding request. They’ve proposed a new data structure to manage Elections Canada’s data more efficiently. The projected cost of the project is $1,062-000 over two years. Stephane Perrault approved the funding request. There is an additional briefing note to the CEO from Serge Caron regarding the Digital Transformation Temporary Additional Budget Request for the Digital Enterprise Transformation Branch (DETB). They estimate the need for additional funding amounting to $1,413,000 to complete the project. This request was also approved by Stephane Perrault. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00037 Please Provide the Following Briefing Notes from December 2021: * 2021-103552 — Digital Transformation Temporary Additional Budget Request * 2021-103484 — Cloud-Based Desktop Productivity Suite * 2021-103485 — Enterprise Data Service Project Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a briefing note from Anne Lawson (Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Regulatory Affairs) to the CEO regarding the Electoral Integrity Framework. Lawson is seeking approval for the Electoral Integrity Framework. Stephane Perrault signed and approved the framework. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00007 Access to the Following Document: The Principles of Electoral Integrity, Reference Number 2022-103853. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Elections Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
Office of the Privacy Commissioner ATI Re-Requests Received
| Document Link | Reference |
| The document includes a letter from Capital One Canada regarding their privacy breach. This letter was sent out in response to complaints filed under PIPEDA. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has encouraged individuals to contact Capital One Privacy Officer first before contacting their office to pursue a complaint. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00243 All Documentation on Data Breaches or Privacy Breaches, That Have Led or Not Led to an Investigation, by Capital One and GitHub from January 1, 2010 to the Current Date. Please Limit This Request to Closed Investigation Files Only and Active/Closed Breaches Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a list consisting of all the names of federal departments and agencies that have had security breaches reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00034 List with All the Names of Federal Departments and Agencies That Have Had Security Breaches Reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a copy of the Privacy Breach Report from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on July 2020. The breach that occurred was executed by a hacker group called Distributed Denial of Secrets who published over 260 gigabytes of law enforcement data. The type of personal information collected included: name, contact information, financial, medical, social insurance numbers, and personal banking information. This security breach impacted 123 individuals at the time of the report. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00048 A Copy of the Report Submitted by the RCMP and Reported by CBC as Providing Information about Canadians Affected by the Data Leak Called BlueLeaks and Subsequent Communication between OPCC and the RCMP Related to This Report, up until Sept. 28, 2020. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a list of complaints sent to PIPEDA from November 5, 2019 – October 15, 2020. Many of the descriptions are partially redacted. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00049 List of All PIPEDA Complaints Received from November 5, 2019 to October 15, 2020 Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a contract from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to Gross Gilroy Inc for an estimated commissioned cost of $66,812.81. There is also an additional package on the Summative Evaluation for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner’s (OPC) work to advance its Strategic Privacy Priorities. In addition, there is a staffing contract for an HR consultant from Altis. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00055 All ProServices Contracts Issued in the National Capital Region for the Months of July 2020, August 2020, & September 2020 Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document consists of a memorandum to Steve Harroun, Chief Compliance & Enforcement Officer, Canada Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Brent Homan, Deputy Commissioner Compliance, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) and Josephine Palumbo, Deputy Commissioner Cartels and Deceptive Marketing Practices, Competition Bureau (CV) from CASL Compliance and Enforcement Working Group (CEWG). The memo is regarding a proposed collaborative compliance action by the CRTC, OPC and the CB before the end of the 2019-2020 fiscal year. In addition, a letter from the OPC office to 10 webcam manufacturers in Canada and the United States, highlighting concerns related to internet connected cameras. The OPC urges them to ensure appropriate security measures to protect customers’ privacy. Lastly, a notice from the CB to video streaming services encouraging them to review their terms and conditions regarding marketing practices. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00062 I Request the Names of the 36 Mobile App Industry Companies That Received Warning Letters from the CRTC, OPC and Competition Bureau, Also Any Memos or Reports That Provided the Foundation for the Letters and Related Investigations. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| Office of the Privacy Commissioner produced a contract for O/A LRO Staffing. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00067 All Temporary Help Services (THS) Supply Arrangement (SA) and Standing Offer (SO) Callups Issued in the National Capital Region for the Months October 2020, November 2020, & December 2020. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a list of all data breaches reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada by federal institutions: Feb. 15, 2019, to May 31, 2019 & Feb. 6, 2021 to Mar. 5, 2021 | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00093 A List of All Data Breaches Reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada by Federal Institutions: Feb. 15, 2019 to May 31, 2019 & Feb. 6, 2021 to Mar. 5, 2021 Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a briefing note for the Sidewalk Labs Advisory Consultation. In addition, an email exchange between members of the OPC regarding Sidewalk Lab’s Designated Internal Collaboration and the technology, waterfront timelines, budget, recommendations and more. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00002 Records Pertaining to Sidewalk Labs LLC (Dec. 21, 2018 to June 1, 2020) Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a memo written to the requester and they’ve found some information from Ci2 regarding the complaint against Bell Canada. The complaint stipulates that Bell Canada conducted unauthorized credit checks for the past 5 years. The office does not have records relating to “ongoing monitoring and reporting between OPC and Bell Canada that relate to unauthorized credit checks for the past 10 years”. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00008 Information Regarding Number Complaints against Bell Canada for the Last 5 Years (2016-2021) Regarding Unauthorized Credit Checks Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| According to the OPC, they received 8 complaints however, the document does not include any of the records relating to the unauthorized credit checks conducted by Bell Canada. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00020 Number of Complaints against Bell Canada for 2011-2015 Regarding Unauthorized Credit Checks Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a briefing note about the Digital Economic Partnership Agreement that came into force in January 2021 for New Zealand and Singapore and is expected to be ratified by Chile in 2021. The trade agreement is unique because it focuses solely on digital trade issues. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00024 Provide a Copy of Briefing Note CTS-095831 Digital Economic Partnership Agreement Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a letter from the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada regarding a Privacy Impact Assessment Report of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The document also includes the full report. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00026 All Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) within Which Mention Is Made of Wide-Area Persistent Surveillance (WAPS) or Wide-Area Motion Imagery (WAMI). WAPS and WAMI Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a spreadsheet of all breach reports from federal institutions that were attributed to malware, ransomware, social engineering, password attacks and other cyber threats. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00036 For the Time Frame of Jan 1, 2017 to Present [July 20,. 2021] Provide a Spreadsheet of All Breach Reports from Federal Institutions That Were Attributed to Malware, Ransomware, Social Engineering, Password Attacks and Other Cyber Threats. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a briefing note regarding this year’s Global Privacy Assembly (GPA) Conference. The agenda includes keynote speeches on human intervention in mass data process and vaccine passports, panel discussion on data protection and human rights in the context of mass surveillance by facial recognition. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2021-00076 Copy of BN CST-096013 Preparatory Briefing for the 43rd Global Privacy Assembly Closed Session Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information |