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OHRC and LCO release new tool to help organizations assess AI technologies to ensure they uphold human rights

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TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) launched the Human Rights Impact Assessment for AI Technologies (“HRIA” or “the tool”), a tool to help assess and mitigate human rights impacts of AI systems in a broad range of applications.

“AI offers many benefits, but also has well-documented risks. The AI impact assessment released today is a practical, step-by-step tool that will help organizations identify and manage AI risks to human rights.  The LCO and OHRC have worked together to develop the first human rights impact assessment based on Canadian human rights law,” said Raj Anand, Chair of the Law Commission of Ontario Board of Governors.      

“While we are eager to harness the opportunities and benefits presented by the potential of AI, its use by public sector entities around the world has resulted in serious harms to individuals and communities. Thus, it is imperative that human rights protections be built into the foundation of any governing framework or regulation,” said Patricia DeGuire, Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission. “We are proud to have worked with the Law Commission of Ontario to create this tool that will help guide organizations in ensuring that their use of AI aligns with their human rights obligations.”

The HRIA is a step-by-step guide with examples and explanations, created for AI designers, developers, operators, and owners to identify, assess, minimize, or prevent discrimination and uphold human rights obligations throughout the lifecycle of an AI system.

The HRIA aims to:

Strengthen knowledge and understanding of human rights impacts;Provide practical guidance on human rights impacts, particularly in relation to non-discrimination and equality of treatment; andIdentify practical mitigation strategies and remedies to address bias and discrimination from AI systems.

The OHRC and the LCO call on the Ontario government, employers, and all other duty-holders to use the HRIA to ensure that the opportunities, benefits, and protections associated with the use of AI are available to all Ontarians without discrimination.

Quick Facts

The HRIA is based on internationally established guardrails on AI, which recognize the importance of human rights due diligence in use of these technologies.The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) also contributed to the development of the HRIA.The HRIA has two parts: Part A is an assessment of the AI system for human rights implications. In this section, organizations are asked questions about the purpose of the AI, the significance of the AI system, and the treatment of individual Canadians and communities. Part B is about mitigation. Once the AI system has been categorized, Part B provides a series of questions to assist organizations to minimize identified human rights issues in the given AI system. The HRIA does not constitute legal advice and does not provide a definitive legal answer regarding any adverse human rights impacts, including violations of federal or provincial human rights law or other relevant legislation.

SOURCE Ontario Human Rights Commission

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Media advisory – Minister Champagne to confirm an investment in the Canadian telecommunications sector

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OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 6, 2024 /CNW/ – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will confirm an investment in 5G and advanced network technologies.

Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Time: 4 pm (EST)

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to receive event location details and confirm their attendance. Media representatives are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the event.

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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Miami-Dade Voters Overwhelmingly Support Countywide Free Public Wi-Fi Expansion Led by Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee

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MIAMI, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark vote, over 776,000 Miami-Dade residents, or 76.72% of voters, voiced strong support for expanding free public Wi-Fi access across the county. Spearheaded by Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee, this non-binding initiative signals widespread public backing for efforts to bridge the digital divide and create greater internet access for all residents.

Commissioner McGhee, who has a distinguished background in public service as an assistant prosecutor, author, adjunct professor, and former Minority Leader of the Florida House, has made digital equity a priority. “This initiative is about ensuring that every family, student, farmer, and senior citizen in Miami-Dade has access to the internet—a critical resource in today’s world,” McGhee said. “Expanding free public Wi-Fi would help close the gap for marginalized communities and create opportunities for economic mobility and generational wealth.”

Many families in Miami-Dade, especially in low-income and underserved areas, still lack reliable internet access. According to Miami-Dade County Public Schools, approximately 25% of students—about 88,000 children—do not have access to high-speed internet at home, a gap that impacts their ability to complete homework, attend virtual classes, and use online resources critical for educational success.

The county’s senior citizens are also among the most digitally underserved. AARP reports that 34% of seniors in the U.S. do not have internet access at home. For older adults, reliable internet is vital to accessing health information, staying in touch with family, and connecting with social services. As Miami-Dade’s population ages, ensuring that seniors have access to free public Wi-Fi will help combat social isolation and improve quality of life.

“From schoolchildren to seniors, every resident in Miami-Dade deserves equal access to the digital tools that define our daily lives,” McGhee said. “This isn’t just a technology issue—it’s a matter of equity and opportunity.”

Rural communities in Miami-Dade also face unique connectivity challenges. Farmers, for example, rely on the internet for essential agricultural technologies like precision farming, weather tracking, and market data. Yet, 22% of farms across the U.S. still lack reliable internet access, according to the USDA.

“Expanding public Wi-Fi to rural areas would allow our farmers to access the latest technologies and remain competitive,” McGhee explained. “A digitally connected agricultural sector benefits everyone in Miami-Dade County.”

Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Kansas City have already adopted free public Wi-Fi to promote digital inclusion and foster innovation. By expanding public Wi-Fi, Miami-Dade can join these pioneering communities, moving closer to becoming a world-class county where no resident is left behind in the digital age.

Miami-Dade can’t reach its full potential as a world-class community without ensuring that every resident has the tools to thrive in the 21st century,” said McGhee. “Expanding free public Wi-Fi is about more than just convenience—it’s about giving families, students, seniors, and farmers the digital resources they need to succeed.”

Contact: Juanita Olvera, Juanita.olvera@miamidade.gov

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miami-dade-voters-overwhelmingly-support-countywide-free-public-wi-fi-expansion-led-by-commissioner-kionne-l-mcghee-302298121.html

SOURCE Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee

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Statement – Government of Canada orders the wind up of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act

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OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 6, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, made the following statement:

“As a result of a multi-step national security review process, which involves rigorous scrutiny by Canada’s national security and intelligence community, the Government of Canada has ordered the wind up of  the Canadian business carried on by TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. The government is taking action to address the specific national security risks related to ByteDance Ltd.’s operations in Canada through the establishment of TikTok Technology Canada, Inc. The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners.

“The government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content. The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice. It is important for Canadians to adopt good cyber security practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply. The government encourages Canadians to consult the guidance issued by Communications Security Establishment Canada’s Canadian Centre for Cyber Security to help them assess these risks.

“The government’s decision was made in accordance with the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may be injurious to Canada’s national security. The government applies enhanced scrutiny to investments that fall within the jurisdiction of the Investment Canada Act for a number of business sectors and activities, including the interactive digital media sector as outlined in the March 2024 Policy Statement on Foreign Investment Review in the Interactive Digital Media Sector.

“While Canada continues to welcome foreign direct investment, the government will act decisively when investments threaten our national security.”

Associated links

Policy Statement on Foreign Investment Review in the Interactive Digital Media SectorGuidelines on the National Security Review of InvestmentsProtect how you connect

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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