ANALYSIS: Integrating consumer rights will be a daunting task for Minister Bains. Here’s how it could be done

By Konrad von Finckenstein THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED mandate letter for the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISI) is extensive and deals with many large and difficult issues including climate change, copyright legislation, and new broadcast and telecom legislation. The letter also focuses in an unprecedented way on consumer rights and privacy. Indeed, other than cell phone bills, it seems to look at most consumer issues through a privacy lens. It introduces several new terms which need to be conceptualized, explained, and put in context. The mandate letter, in terms of consumers, provides that the Minister shall: Use all available...