In October 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada heard a case about whether courts should grant sealing orders over court files that contain an individual’s private and sensitive information. ISAC successfully intervened in the case and made both written and oral submissions before the Supreme Court. ISAC’s submissions highlighted the harms that may arise when vulnerable individuals’ personal or sensitive information is shared publicly as a result of their engagement in the legal system. ISAC argued that there is a public interest in granting sealing and confidentiality orders, in appropriate circumstances, to protect the privacy of low-income and vulnerable individuals and ensure that they can continue to access courts and tribunals.
ISAC is grateful to Ewa Krajewska, Teagan Markin and Mannu Chowdhury of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, who represented ISAC before the Supreme Court of Canada and provided excellent submissions on ISAC’s behalf.
Read the Supreme Court’s decision by clicking here.
-July 2021