Court rules 4 to 3 that the sharing of information with U.S.A. does not contravene the Charter or privacy rights. Held (Abella, Cromwell and Karakatsanis JJ. dissenting): The appeal should be dismissed.
Although the Court determined the driver’s licence was personal information, it ruled the licence plate information was not. The majority reasoned the licence plate information was linked to a specific vehicle, not a particular person. Moreover, it noted the licence plate information was not private given that it is openly available for all to see.
Philippa Lawson, like many Canadians is concerned with the collection, use and disclosure of personal information without consent She is a lawyer and the executive direCtor of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law. The Clinic takes a deep interest in these matters.