Anti-SPAM Bill Fast Tracked Through Committee
Bill C-28, the Fighting Internet and Wireless SPAM Act (FISA), referred to Committee a few weeks ago, is now on its way back to the House after one day in Committee. The Bill is Canada's long awaited and comprehensive response to online hazards such as SPAM and malware. It will put in place a multi-faceted regime that attempts to address these issues by empowering three distinct regulatory agencies (the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, the CRTC, and the Competition Bureau) to investigate and fine individuals and organizations for various new regulatory offences created by the Act. It additionally provides individuals with a personal right of action to sue others for similar violations. FISA was first introduced last summer as Bill C-27 (ECPA), at which time it passed all three readings in the House after being heavily debated before the House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. This time around, the only change made by the Committee to Bill C-28 was to strip it of its name. It will no longer be called the 'Fighting Interenet and Wireless SPAM Act'.