Romeo Ntwari

Introduction to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association Meet with new senior officials to provide an introduction to CCLA staff, activities and priorites Bill C-36, An Act to enact the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act, respecting the need to include robust restrictions on private-sector handling of personal data and on the adoption and use of artificial intelligence tools to ensure protection of privacy and human rights. Bill C-34, An Act to enact the Digital Safety Act and the Digital Safety Commission of Canada Act, with respect to state-compelled limitations on free speech on social media, generative AI, and other online services, imposition of age verification requirements onto various online services, and compliance of the proposal with freedom of expression and privacy rights. Bill C-2, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States and respecting other related security measures, with respect to legal standards for peace officers/CSIS to obtain information, a proposed regime to require surveillance-enabled digital services, cross-border information sharing (which are also replicated in Bill C-22, An Act respecting lawful access), and amendments to IRPA that would impact refugee protection and permit categorical cancellation of documents, and which are also replicated in Bill C-12, An Act respecting certain measures relating to the security of Canada’s borders and the integrity of the Canadian immigration system and respecting other related security measures. The federal government's adoption of a public registry for its use of artificial intelligence tools, and how to improve the utility of this registry as a government accountability tool. Bill C-4, An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure, and Bill C-25, An Act respecting the Canada Elections Act and to enact An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts, 2026 with respect to the information privacy framework applicable to federal political parties. Bill C-8, An Act respecting cybersecurity, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts. Lobbying around telecommunications and cybersecurity, with an intention of making proposed legislation more respecting of privacy and human rights. Bill C-15, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025, and concerns regarding Part 5, Division 5, of that Bill and its proposed introduction of a "Henry the VIII" clause that would empower the government to exempt private and public entities from the application of federal laws. Bill C-16, Protecting Victims Act. Charter and civil liberties concerns about the legislation, particularly in relation to impact on s. 11(b) of the Charter. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places), and specifically that its new anti-protests provisions risk criminalizing peaceful protestors; its problematic removal of Attorney General consent requirement for hate propaganda charges; that its new standalone hate crime offence is unduly stigmatizing and paves the way to excessive sentences; that its proposed definition of hatred does not align with Supreme Court of Canada precedents; and concerns regarding the addition of a "promotion of terrorism" offence. The civil liberties implications of forced detox under the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, SM 2025, c 49. Consultation on prospective amendments to the Criminal Code related to offences against children. Prospective amendments to the Criminal Code related to mandatory minimum sentences and remedies for violations of s. 11(b) of the Charter. Bill S-209, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to pornographic material, regarding the privacy implications of a proposed age verification requirement that would be imposed by the Bill on online enti

Providing commentary and input with respect to Bill C-9, The Combatting Hate Act, including possible amendments that would strengthen the bill to ensure all equity deserving groups, including Black Canadians, are protected from hate speech. The purpose of this assignment is to brief decision makers on the Black Opportunity Fund, and its subsidiary BOF Capital Inc, on its programs and impacts with respect to Black-led Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs; programming that supports Black-led charities, non-profits and social enterprises; and housing policy solutions that would support Black Canadians to access affordable and attainable homeownership, as Canada takes steps to address the country’s housing affordability crisis.

Advocacy for funding to support the delivery of CEE Center for Young Black Professionals programs and services.

Bill C?34, the Safe Social Media Act with regards to adding provisions addressing the growing creation and distribution of animal cruelty and torture imagery online. Discussing Marineland's remaining beluga whales and other cetaceans Asking the new government to support improved or enhanced protocols for farmed animal welfare in Canada Asking the new government to bring back the animal protection bills of the 44th Parliament including: Bill C-355, An Act to prohibit the export by air of horses for slaughter and to amend other related Acts. Discussions about issues related to animal abuse in coercive behaviour and gender-based violence Policy regarding the addition of pet inclusive housing in the proposed Renter's Bill of Rights Transportation of Animals Regulations, with respect to enforcement. Working with senior policy advisors at Agriculture Canada and Transport Canada on changes to regulations impacting farm animals Consultations with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, with regards to the importation of dogs and puppy mills Consultations with Public Safety Canada on Animals in Emergency Management Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) with regards to Part 5 (Controlling Toxic Substances) and development, validation and adoption of non-animal methods

Bill S-211, National Framework on Advertising for Sports Betting Act, with respect to gambling advertising regulation in Canada Meetings with federal government will discuss the enactment of legislation to protect Canadians from illegal operators ongoing operations of illegal gambling websites within Canada and to discuss the role of the provincial gaming authorities.

Arranging and participating in meetings on Canada's international competitivenes; potential trade/tariff barriers with the U.S. and Europe. Interacting with MPs, Senators, Ministers and government officials regarding funding/investment opportunities to expand Ferrero’s production facility in Brantford, Ontario Arranging and participating in meetings on regulatory modernization. Arranging and participating in meetings on food safety and agri-food. Arranging and participating in meetings on healthy eating and advertising.

Funding for Canada's Black Justice Strategy Funding for the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and the Federal GBV Strategy Bill C-9, with respect to gender-based hate Bill S-205, with respect to judicial oversight for segregation/isolation, and eligible community-based supports for prisoners facing systemic discrimination Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), with respect to the second-generation cut-off, the 1985 cut-off; and the two-parent rule Supports for workers in the care economy in Canada Establishment of a guaranteed livable basic income Artificial intelligence, including legal and policy responses and a range of legal and non-legal survivor-centred tools to intervene and remedy AI harms Bill C-225 (An Act to Amend the Criminal Code), regarding criminalization of acts related to gender-based violence Provision of operational funding of $50 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, to support national gender equality organizations advancing systemic change for women, girls, trans and non-binary people in Canada Bill C-223 (Keeping Children Safe Act), with respect to precluding reliance on myths and stereotypes, replacing the maximum contact assumption, modifying the best interests of the child test, and the need for judicial education Bill C-16 (Protecting Victims Act), with respect to access to testimonial aids, restorative justice, deepfakes, coercive control, femicide, mandatory minimum penalties, procedural rules in sexual assault trials, criminal harassment, and delays in the criminal justice system Bill C-14 (Bail and Sentencing Reform Act), including effects on women, trans, and non-binary people Bill C-12 (Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act), including proposed section 101(1)(b.1) and explicit exemptions for survivors of gender-based violence and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals facing persecution Restorative and transformative justice for sexual violence - increasing access and support for initiatives Creation of a federal Gender-Based Violence Commissioner Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including the creation of an independent regulator and the enactment of obligations for technology companies in addressing TFGBV Addressing gender-based discrimination in the Employment Insurance Act