Release - Federal, British Columbia and Alberta Commissioners Working Together to Ensure Seamless Privacy Protection in the Private Sector

News Release - January 26, 2004 - Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: Federal, British Columbia and Alberta commissioners working together to ensure seamless privacy protection in the private sector

"Ottawa, January 26, 2004 - The Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Jennifer Stoddart, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia, David Loukidelis, and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, Frank Work, today announced that they will be working cooperatively to develop a harmonized approach to dealing with privacy complaints in the private sector.

All three jurisdictions face new responsibilities with the coming into force on January 1, 2004 of their respective private sector privacy laws. Last week, Ms. Stoddart, Mr. Loukidelis and Mr. Work met in Ottawa to begin working out an understanding for administering their respective laws and to begin developing fair, consistent and clear rules of enforcement, which will help to eliminate any confusion regarding jurisdiction. "