As you are aware, I am often called upon to comment on legislation that will result in new or expanded forms of personal information being collected
by federal government institutions.
Unless Congress reaches an agreement by midnight on Monday (30 September), the U.S. government will go into shutdown mode and nonessential personnel
at federal government institutions — that is, everyone not involved in animal care, patient care, national defense, or other functions deemed essential — will have an unplanned holiday.
That the Privacy Act be amended to
require federal government institutions to consult with Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada on draft legislation and regulations with privacy implications before they are implemented.
Rockville, along with neighboring Gaithersburg and Bethesda, is at the core of the Interstate 270 Technology Corridor which is home to numerous software and biotechnology companies as well as
several federal government institutions.
Several companies and
federal government institutions are located in the city or nearby, as well as many retailers.
Representing requesters, third parties that have provided confidential information to government, as well as municipal, provincial and
federal government institutions, Blakes advises on the full range of freedom of information and privacy protection issues, including rights of access and correction; exemptions from disclosure; and rules relating to the collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal of personal information.
Several companies and
federal government institutions are located in the city or nearby, as well as many retailers.