Municipal Information, Access & Privacy Forum

Join us online for our spring Information, Access & Privacy Forum on Thursday, May 20, 2021.

This Forum convenes leading data, cybersecurity, information, access and privacy experts to discuss current and emerging issues affecting local governments. Gain valuable insights on data and privacy trends, new technologies and solutions, and discover what’s next for the sector.

Date: Thursday, May 20, 2021

Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM ET

Location: Virtual via Zoom

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Patricia Kosseim

Commissioner, Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Patricia Kosseim brings to the IPC significant experience and a wealth of knowledge in the areas of privacy and access law, having worked in public, private and health sectors, and across various jurisdictions. Prior to joining the IPC, Patricia was counsel in Osler's Privacy and Data Management Group where she provided strategic advice to clients on matters of privacy, data governance and access law. She also led a number of thought-leadership initiatives as national co-leader of Osler’s AccessPrivacy knowledge platform.

Patricia served for more than a decade as senior general counsel and director general at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in Ottawa. During that period, she was responsible for advancing a number of major cases before the federal courts and the Supreme Court of Canada; advising on critical privacy investigations; appearing before parliamentary committees on significant legislative bills; developing national and international policies; leading a national research funding program; and, overseeing a technology analysis team and laboratory.

Agenda

Keynote Presentation: A Time for Reflection and Renewal

The rapid uptake of electronic services has presented significant privacy and access opportunities and challenges as citizen-government interactions go digital and we all adapt to this new virtual world. Recognizing the need for a solid plan to meet these and other challenges, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) recently engaged in a public consultation to identify the strategic priorities that will guide the IPC’s work by focusing its efforts on the issues that matter most to Ontarians. In her keynote address, Commissioner Patricia Kosseim reflects on what she heard from stakeholders through the consultation process and provides an update on the IPC’s strategic priorities over the next five years.

Presenter:
Patricia Kosseim - Commissioner, Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Outdated Legislations Affect Every Municipality: Modernizing Access to Information & Privacy Legislation

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) legislation is not one-size-fits-all – access and privacy laws play a central role in government and protecting the privacy rights of individuals. MFIPPA strains municipal resources while providing the requester an affordable research resource for media, personal agendas and/or litigation.

In 1991, when the legislation was drafted, the predominant office equipment was the fax machine. Times and expectations from both the municipalities and the requesters have changed with the evolution of technology. This session will explore shifts in trends, public expectations and unfair advantages to institutions that have emerged since the inception of municipal privacy laws and the disconnect between legislation requirements and municipal policies and bylaws.

Presenters:
Pamela Fettes - Director, Administration Services/Clerk, Town of New Tecumseth
Suzanne Klatt - CAO/Clerk, Township of Madawaska Valley
Mary Ellen Bench - Counsel, Dentons

Demystifying PIAs: Simplifying your Approach to PIA Delivery

Many municipalities are beginning to see the benefit of Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) – preventative privacy risk assessment tools that incorporate the principles of Privacy by Design. During the pandemic, Hamilton Public Health (HPH) has been challenged to provide privacy risk assessments for projects on very tight timelines. From COVID-19 statistics publishing to vaccine appointment booking, HPH has utilized a number of PIA alternatives. This session will explore taking a more flexible approach to PIAs based on evolving business needs and pressures. This session will explore:

When is a PIA necessary?
Alternatives to PIAs
Coordinating PIAs and Threat and Risk Assessments (TRAs)
Data De-Identification Risk Assessments

Presenter:
Else Khoury - Privacy Officer, Department of Public Health, City of Hamilton

Fees: Basic Principles and Best Practices

Are you looking for answers on when and how to apply fees in response to requests under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)? The goal of this session is to provide useful tips and practical advice to assist you in determining the what, when and how of fees and fee estimates as they apply to requests under the Act. When and what fees can be charged at the request stage? If your fee decision is appealed, what steps can you take in mediation to try and resolve the appeal? In addition, find out about recent IPC fee decisions that can assist you in responding to future access requests. Come with your MFIPPA and IPC questions and panelists from the Ontario IPC office will share their knowledge during an open Q&A discussion.

Presenters:
Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Staff
Sherry Liang - Assistant Commissioner, Tribunal Services
Gillian Shaw - Director of Adjudication, Information & Privacy
Andrea Schwartz - Director of Mediation

Technology and Your Team

From the onset of the pandemic, municipalities across the province were forced to utilize and adapt to new technology. For some, this was a new venture, for others, processes were already in place and being implemented. In this session, hear a case study from the City of Guelph, that demonstrates how staff are advancing digital transformation through strong policy and future-facing leadership. Presenters will share digital service successes to date, lessons learned when it comes to change management, and tips for prioritizing initiatives and communicating value. Following the City of Guelph case study, Mark Dillon of Waterloo North Hydro will discuss strategies around digital team performance vs. results and the impact of putting people first over technology.

Presenters:
Tara Baker - Treasurer, GM Finance, City of Guelph
Sasha Einwechter - General Manager, Information Technology, City of Guelph
Mark Dillon - Vice President of IT, Waterloo North Hydro

When Does Public Interest Outweigh Freedom of Information (FOI) Exemptions?

When is a municipal institution permitted or even required to disclose records to meet public interest? This session will explore the public interest disclosure provisions of Ontario's access and privacy laws and discuss recent and significant IPC decisions and court cases. During the pandemic especially, there has been an increase in public pressure for institutions to be transparent about the location of outbreaks and other information about COVID-19. Within this context, David Goodis of INQ Law will also address:

What qualifies as public interest?
What makes public interest compelling?
How does one weigh public interest against an applicable exemption?
Is it appropriate to apply public interest at the request stage?
What types of records have qualified or not qualified for disclosure?
What have the courts said about this provision?

Presenter:
David Goodis - Partner, INQ Law

Developing and Deploying an Impactful EDRMS

This session will explore the strategy and planning that goes into an effective Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). First, hear how in 2018, the City of Brampton implemented an electronic document and records management system, and migrated its electronic records from shared drives to SharePoint Online. One year later, staff were required to work remotely. While the City was positioned to thrive during the pandemic, there were some lessons learned when it came to the day-to-day management of records.

Next, hear from Bruce Miller, President of RIMTECH Inc. on what essentials are needed to ensure success when it comes to EDRMS projects. Learn the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), the seven essential EDRMS concepts, how to use metadata properly, core EDRMS architecture, record-keeping automation, and the critical role of the new software-ready retention schedule.

Presenters:
Janice Adshead - Deputy Clerk, Records & Information Management, City of Brampton
Bruce Miller - President, RIMTECH Inc.

Digital Government: IT Infrastructure Post-Pandemic

This session will deliver a detailed narrative on cybersecurity strategies within digital government administration. From case studies, to training strategies, to disaster recovery, discover the most essential aspects of a sound cybersecurity plan that you can use to turn insight into action. The session will be broken down into four sections:

Case studies
Maintaining strong security at reasonable costs
Proper procurement processes
Discussion on disaster recovery

Presenters:
Stephen Nessner - Account Executive, Brock IT (Waterloo)
Jonathan Bullock - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Brock IT (Brockville)
Ray Morrison - Former CAO & Treasurer, Augusta Township

Speakers

Andrea Schwartz
Director of Mediation, Information & Privacy, Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Else Khoury
Privacy Officer, Department of Public Health, City of Hamilton

Bruce Miller
President, RIMTECH Inc.

Gillian Shaw
Director of Adjudication, Information & Privacy, Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Janice Adshead
Deputy Clerk, Records & Information Management, City of Brampton

David Goodis
Partner, INQ Law

Mary Ellen Bench
Counsel, Dentons

Pamela Fettes
Director, Administration Services/Clerk, Town of New Tecumseth

Jonathan Bullock
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Brock IT (Brockville)

Tara Baker
Treasurer, GM Finance, City of Guelph

Sasha Einwechter
General Manager, Information Technology, City of Guelph

Mark Dillon
Vice President of IT, Waterloo North Hydro

Suzanne Klatt
CAO/Clerk, Township of Madawaska Valley

Stephen Nessner
Account Executive, Brock IT (Waterloo)

Sherry Liang
Assistant Commissioner, Tribunal Services, Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Ray Morrison, Former CAO & Treasurer, Augusta Township

Registration

Forum Fees

Forum Rate: 372.90

plus HST

Date: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Registration Deadline: Thursday, 13 May 2021

Forums are delivered over the Zoom platform, and can be viewed on computers, tablets and mobile phones. Please check the Zoom Requirements to ensure your device is capable of using Zoom. The link to access the webinar will be provided to registrants before the webinar date.

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Refund Policy: Refund Policy: All cancellations must be confirmed to AMCTO in writing. A refund levy of $100.00 (includes HST) will be applied to all cancellations received up to fourteen (14) business days prior to the event. Refunds are not granted for cancellations made within thirteen (13) days or less of the event date.

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