Masala Canada - Saturday, February 18th 2012

Conversations with Ann Cavoukian and Vijaya Chikermane
MASALA CANADA with WOJTEK GWIAZDA



On this edition of MASALA CANADA we’ll talk to Ann Cavoukian, the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Canada’s most populous province, Ontario. She is an independent officer of the provincial legislature and reports directly to the legislature on issues of privacy.

She and a number of other people in Canada were vocal this past week in condemning a proposed federal law tabled this past week by Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. The law would give police access to so called IP addresses, the addresses of each Canadian’s computer, and access to that computer’s activities on the Internet. The law would oblige Internet service providers to store that information, and make it available to the police.


Then I talk to Vijaya Chikermane, the Executive Director of the Alliance for South Asian Aids Prevention (ASAAP). A little more than a week ago the Alliance raised concerns about two cases now before the Supreme Court of Canada. Cases that could further extend the definition of when it is a crime in Canada not to tell a partner about having the HIV virus.

Up until now, the law suggested that only in cases where there is a serious danger to their sexual partner was it a crime. She discusses the concerns of the Alliance, and the challenges of discussing these issues publicly.


WEB LINKS:
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario – www.ipc.on.ca
Bill C-30 [Lawful Access Bill] – here
En Karma music and info – www.enkarma.ca
Ef-Khan music and info – www.ef-khan.com
Alliance for South Asian Aids Prevention (ASAAP) – www.asaap.ca