
IN THE NEWS

Hill Times
Kevin Philipupillai
Ethics committee chair slams RCMP’s ‘point-blank refusal’ to provide information on spyware tools
New federal Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne tells the House Ethics Committee his office learned about the RCMP’s use of spyware on phones and other devices through the media.

Western Standard
Matthew Horwood
Treasury Board regulations further delay Access to Information Act requests
New regulations by Treasury Board President Mona Fortier would further delay Access To Information disclosures that currently stretch into years. The Board, in a Christmas Eve notice, said Canadians seeking public records should be required to show their birth certificate or other proof of citizenship, according to Blacklock's Reporter.

Drumheller Mail
Lacie Nairn
MP Kurek calls on federal government for three-digit mental health hot line
Battle River-Crowfoot MP Damien Kurek is imploring the federal government to keep its promise to implement a three-digit mental health crisis line and helping to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health in a new mail out.

BioMetric Update
Tyler Choi
Canadian lawmakers demand clearer answers on facial recognition from national police
A standing committee of Canadian Members of Parliament examining face biometrics use in the country saw further clarification of the RCMP’s use of facial recognition and the expected safeguards. The hearing was also beset by allegations from lawmakers that unclear testimony from the RCMP is leading to a lack of trust.

Drumheller Mail
Lacie Nairn
Bill C-21 amendments could impact rural farmers, hunters
The Liberal federal government brought forward several proposed amendments to its gun control legislation, Bill C-21, in late November which could potentially lead to many rifles and shotguns commonly used for hunting prohibited.

Drumheller Mail
Lacie Nairn
Kneehill County drafts letter to MPs over rural economic development concerns
Conservative Members of Parliament Damien Kurek, Shannon Stubbs, and Jacques Gourde have reached out to rural municipalities, including Kneehill County, to inquire about issues the region faces for rural economic development.