The Canadian government has attempted to extend its regulatory reach over the internet through Bill C-10 (An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts) and Bill C-11 (Consumer Privacy Protection Act). But the challenges are significant and fundamental: who is accountable between all the actors? The platforms? The app developers? The individuals? Or is anyone accountable at all? And when we have attributed accountability, how do we enforce it without breaching privacy or violating freedom of expression, yet effectively extending the rule of law to the internet?

As Canada moves to regulating the internet, it is these two main legal issues that arise: accountability and enforcement. These issues were discussed in the second edition of the conference “Regulating the Internet – Really?” organized by Dentons, the International Commission of Jurists, ICJ Canada (an international organization created 60 years ago to assert the rule of law as a matter of democracy), and the Professional Development Institute, University of Ottawa. 

Our virtual conference included Parliamentarians, representatives from the social media industry, Dentons lawyers, and academics addressing specific challenges of regulating the Internet. Errol Mendes, President of the International Commission of Jurists, ICJ Canada provided opening remarks. 

Enforcement on the internet  

The challenges in enforcing the law on the internet

Speakers

• Chantal Bernier, National Practice Leader, Privacy and Cybersecurity, Dentons Canada LLP (moderator)
• Michele Austin, Head of Government, Public Policy and Philanthropy, Twitter
• Kevin Chan, Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook 
• Dr. Emily Laidlaw, Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity Law and Associate Professor, University of Calgary
• Arif Virani, Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Download speakers bios

Click here to access the recording of Day 1 of the conference on Accountability of the internet?

Questions

If you have any questions pertaining to this event, please contact dentonscanada.events@dentons.com.

For questions relating to membership and other events relating to ICJ Canada please email david.hebb@icjcanada.org.

Accreditation

• LSBC: This session is registered for 90 Substantive minutes with the Law Society of British Columbia.
• LSO: This program is eligible for 90 Substantive minutes with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Barreau du Québec: In our view, this session would meet the CLE requirements of the Barreau du Québec. Please email Annie Girard to receive a confirmation of attendance.