TfD Weekly - 3rd September 2026
Last call for the Surveillance Stroll this Sunday, Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at Civic Tech Toronto, & more!
Welcome to TfD Weekly
TfD Weekly is the newsletter of Technologists for Democracy (TfD), a Toronto-based civic tech organisation working at the intersection of technology, privacy, and democratic accountability. Each week we recap what's happening at Civic Tech Toronto, share updates on our campaigns, and keep an eye on legislation that affects Canadians' digital rights.
Our active campaigns:
Previous campaigns:
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This Week at Civic Tech Toronto
Topic: Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, and the Technology Policy Team
The IPC advises the local government on new technologies, offering recommendations about actions that would be in the best interest of both the government and the public. The team works closely with law enforcement and healthcare sectors, bringing their deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, data governance, identity management and many more verticals to existing fields of operation.
We got to hear directly from 2 members of the organisation, how their work ties into government operations, and had an active Q&A session followed by a speaker breakout. It's refreshing to see that public concern around the uncertainty that new technologies bring is being addressed by the government agencies.
Speakers:
Dr. Christopher Parsons, Director of Research and Technology Policy at the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Sharly Chan, Senior Technology and Policy Advisor at the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Check out the IPC Ontario website
Civic Tech Toronto meets every Tuesday. Subscribe for future events
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Say No to Waymo
Last week we hosted our labour webinar with rideshare driver Earla Phillips and data annotator Camila Justino. Thank you to everyone who came out and for asking some really insightful questions. If you missed it, don't worry! There's plenty to say around robotaxis & Waymo, with more opportunities to join us in the future.
If you haven't already, please read the letter and add your name to the cause.
Read the letter and add your name
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TfD Urban Walk Series: The Surveillance Stroll
Final call! Our Surveillance Stroll is this Sunday, September 6th at Union Station.
Each day, we pass buildings and streets with cameras recording our movements, all hidden in plain sight. Have you ever wondered what role cameras and other technologies around you play? How do they square against our nation's privacy laws?
This walk is especially timely when you consider the DeFlock movement in the US. Citizens are upset, and their local governments are cancelling contracts with Automated License Plate Reader (ALPRs) firms as a result. While we name-dropped Flock, they are simply one of many to keep an eye out for.
Friendly reminder that spaces are limited and the waitlist keeps growing by the day. If you are unable to attend, please mark yourself as 'not attending' on Luma so others can participate.
After our walk, you'll never see public spaces the same again.
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Help Wanted: Social Media Coordinator
We're looking for someone to coordinate our socials, with a keen eye for Instagram. Social media is a great way to get the TfD message in front of the right people, and we want to make sure we're making the most of this asset.
If you have a feel for how the algo works, and how to grow a community through engagement, we'd love to chat!
Here's a list of some of what you'd be doing with us:
- Exploring communities, groups and channels where existing TfD campaigns can get more reach & engagement
- Ideating and creating social media posts for current & future campaigns
- A finger on the pulse of online tech x policy discourse
We have many contributors, and with our focus spread over many campaigns you will have lots of material to work with.
This role is flexible, and you're welcome to choose how many hours to volunteer each week. Our ideal volunteer would be somebody who can commit a few hours a week for at least a few months.
DM us on socials (keep scrolling to find your platform of choice) or reply to this newsletter if you're interested.
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Find Us Online
Follow TfD on Mastodon:
Technologists for Democracy (@[email protected]) - TheCanadian.Social
7 Posts, 24 Following, 72 Followers · We are Canadians keeping tech accountable. Canadians using technology towards better democracy for all
Follow TfD on LinkedIn: Technologists for Democracy
Follow TfD on Instagram: techfordemocracy
Follow TfD on Bluesky: techfordemocracy.bsky.social
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Technologists for Democracy is a community of Canadians who work with technology towards better democracy for all. Learn more at techfordemocracy.ca