Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada, U.S. launch talks on data-sharing deal

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Mar, 2022 10:13 AM
  • Canada, U.S. launch talks on data-sharing deal

WASHINGTON - Canada and the United States have started talking about ways to make it easier for law enforcement officials in either country to navigate stringent privacy laws when investigating criminal activity.

The two countries have started working towards an agreement that would compel internet service providers to hand over private data when it's deemed to be part of an investigation.

The framework for the talks is the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act, or CLOUD, passed in the U.S. in 2018 in an effort to ease access to evidence while protecting civil liberties.

Today's announcement is part of a cross-border crime forum taking place this week in the U.S. capital with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Justice Minister David Lametti.

It's the first meeting of the forum in a decade, resurrected by the Canada-U.S. "road map" for bilateral co-operation agreed to last February by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland says a new data-sharing deal would enhance public safety and security while protecting privacy and civil liberties in both countries.

"Such an agreement, if finalized and approved, would pave the way for more efficient cross-border disclosures of data between the United States and Canada so that our governments can more effectively fight serious crime, including terrorism," Garland said in a statement.

"By increasing the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions of serious crime ... we seek to enhance the safety and security of citizens on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border."

Mendicino and Lametti took part in the talks along with Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

A summary of the meeting says they discussed working together to defend against ransomware attacks and to "freeze and seize" Russian assets as part of North America's economic countermeasures against Vladimir Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign policy experts have been warning for weeks that U.S. efforts to sanction Russia would likely lead to a ramp-up in foreign cyberattacks on American infrastructure, a possibility Biden himself flagged publicly on Monday.

"My administration has issued renewed warnings that, based on evolving intelligence, Russia may be planning a cyberattack against us," Biden told business leaders.

"The magnitude of Russia's cyber capacity is fairly consequential, and it's coming."

The four leaders also talked about efforts to push back against human trafficking and smuggling across the Canada-U.S. border, as well as plans to target the flow of illegal guns between the two countries.

MORE National ARTICLES

NDP asks Liberals to drop EI mat leave appeal

NDP asks Liberals to drop EI mat leave appeal
In his letter to Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough, NDP critic Daniel Blaikie says an appeal of the tribunal ruling would only prolong access to justice for new parents who lose their jobs.

NDP asks Liberals to drop EI mat leave appeal

Kamloops, B.C., child honoured for brave act

Kamloops, B.C., child honoured for brave act
A post on the City of Kamloops Facebook page says Jane Deelstra received a certificate from Kamloops RCMP Supt. Syd Lecky on Tuesday, recognizing her "great bravery and perseverance."

Kamloops, B.C., child honoured for brave act

Ottawa mulls closing street in front of Parliament

Ottawa mulls closing street in front of Parliament
Downtown Ottawa Coun. Catherine McKenney has floated the idea of working with federal officials and the community to close Wellington Street, which runs directly along Parliament Hill, to all vehicles except public transit, pedestrians and cyclists.    

Ottawa mulls closing street in front of Parliament

Stabbing at a local Surrey high school leaves two teens injured

Stabbing at a local Surrey high school leaves two teens injured
Surrey RCMP say they responded to reports of a stabbing on the school grounds Tuesday afternoon. They say in a news release that teenagers were found with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to hospital.

Stabbing at a local Surrey high school leaves two teens injured

Tories end boycott of national security committee

Tories end boycott of national security committee
Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen announced the reversal on Tuesday, saying she was writing to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to have Tory MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Rob Morrison appointed to the committee.

Tories end boycott of national security committee

US fires shot across Canada's bow over digital tax

US fires shot across Canada's bow over digital tax
Canada's proposal, which includes a three per cent tax worth $3.4 billion in revenue over five years, would only take effect in 2024 if those efforts don't come to pass.

US fires shot across Canada's bow over digital tax