Archive - Michael Geist

Canada’s DST Debacle a Case Study of Digital Strategy Trouble

If the digital tax debacle sounds familiar, it is because the Canadian government’s misreading of the tech sector has become a recurring problem.

8 hrs ago •

June 2025

The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 238: David Fraser on Why Bill C-2’s Lawful Access Powers May Put Canadians’ Digital Security At Risk

The Bill C-2 lawful access focus has thus far primarily centred on the creation of a new warrantless information demand power and the expansion of…

Jun 30 •

35:07

Canadian Government Caves on Digital Services Tax After Years of Dismissing the Risks of Trade Retaliation

This has become the hallmark of Canadian tech policy. Talk tough, practically dare companies and governments to respond, and then frantically seek an…

Jun 30 •

Ignoring the Warning Signs: Why Did the Canadian Government Dismiss the Trade Risks of a Digital Services Tax?

There can be many reactions to the current battle with the U.S. over a digital services tax, but surprise should not be one of them.

Jun 28 •

Why Bill C-2 Faces a Likely Constitutional Challenge By Placing Solicitor-Client Privilege at Risk

The courts have long identified the importance of safeguarding solicitor-client privilege as essential to the administration of justice. Bill C-2…

Jun 25 •

The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 237: A Conversation with Jason Woywada of BCFIPA on Political Party Privacy and Bill C-4

The government’s unexpected privacy reform agenda includes both lawful access in Bill C-2 and the evisceration of political party privacy in Bill C-4.

Jun 23 •

37:22

Lawful Access on Steroids: Why Bill C-2’s Big Brother Tactics Combine Expansive Warrantless Disclosure with Unprecedented Secrecy

The government has crafted a warrantless system that is unprecedented in its lack of transparency. There will be millions of information disclosures…

Jun 20 •

Government Reverses on Privacy and the Charter: Department of Justice Analysis Concludes Political Party Privacy Bill Raises No Charter of…

Either government no longer believes privacy measures have Charter effects or the decision to bury political party privacy provisions in Bill C-4 was so…

Jun 19 •

“Big Brother Tactics”: Why Bill C-2’s New Warrantless Disclosure Demand Powers Extend Far Beyond Internet and Telecom Providers

The government’s inclusion of warrantless information demand powers in Bill C-2 may make this the most dangerous lawful access proposal yet

Jun 18 •

Government Seeks To Exempt Political Parties From Privacy Laws Even As CRTC Reports They Are Leading Source of Spam Complaints

Canadian political parties are already exempted from the do-not-call list and anti-spam laws. Now they want out of privacy regulation altogether.

Jun 17 •

The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 236: Robert Diab on the Return of Lawful Access

Lawful access is back.

Jun 16 •

39:48

Government Remains Silent as it Eviscerates Political Party Privacy in Canada By Fast Tracking Bill C-4

MPs have regularly emphasized that privacy is a fundamental human right. Yet apparently those human rights stop when it comes to political parties and…

Jun 12 •

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