Monsef says she’s heard no concerns on political parties’ big data operations
Democratic Institutions minister says parties are guided by the Privacy Act. But there are virtually no rules around the collection of Canadians’ data.

thestar.com
By Alex Boutilier
Nov. 24, 2016

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef says she hasn’t heard concerns about political parties’ unfettered ability to collect and use data from Canadians.

There are virtually no rules or oversight into how parties collect, store and analyze data collected from Canadian voters.

But Monsef told reporters Thursday the issue hasn’t come up as she’s crisscrossed the country talking about how to reform Canada’s election system.

“So, what I do understand is that political parties, when they collect information . . . they are guided by the Privacy Act,” Monsef told reporters at a press conference in Ottawa.

“And, to that end, it’s not been an issue that I have heard across the country from Canadians.”

All three major federal parties have been ramping up their big data operations to help guide their electoral efforts.

Data can be drawn from fundraising emails and online petitions, interactions on voters’ doorstep, even social media postings.

Political staff in Ottawa take the data game seriously; the Liberals’ ability to drill down on riding-by-riding information is credited as one of the keys to their historic victory last year.

And while parties may voluntarily adopt the principles set out in the Privacy Act, there’s nothing to require them to adhere to them, experts say.

Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien noted that, while government agencies, including intelligence and law enforcement agencies, are subject to strict privacy laws, political parties have no rules or oversight.

“All of these rules that apply to government departments, or to private organizations, which are basic privacy safeguards, do not apply to political parties,” Therrien said in an interview with the Star earlier this month.

Therrien said it’s up to parliamentarians to “do something about it.”

A House of Commons committee has agreed to study parties’ data operations, but has set no timetable for that study . . . meaning it could fall by the wayside, particularly without political will to pry into party business.

Monsef told reporters that her department would be open to examining new rules, should the Commons committee recommend some.

“If this is something that the House of Commons believes will further enhance the way that elections are conducted, just like we’ve said from the very beginning, we’re open to having those constructive conversations,” Monsef said.