MONTREAL — Conservative party Leader Andrew Scheer says if elected his government would create a certification system to let consumers know if certain digital products meet federal security standards.
The certification regime was one of several data protection and cybersecurity policies Scheer introduced today during a speech to a business luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.
Scheer says the “Canada Cyber Safe” certification would ensure products that incorporate artificial intelligence or that can access the internet meet ethical and safety standards.
He says a Conservative government would also force companies that want to collect electronic data to use clear language in user agreements and to obtain prior informed consent from Canadians.
The Tory leader adds his government would define what he calls binding cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure sectors.
He says he would also create a cabinet committee on cybersecurity that would conduct periodic testing of government departments’ digital infrastructure defences against cyberattacks.
Scheer’s policy comes as millions of Canadians over the past year have been victims of data breaches.
In late July, Canadians learned of a massive data hack at credit card giant Capital One Financial, which compromised the personal data of roughly six million Canadians and exposed one million social insurance numbers.
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
