A recent Globe and Mail opinion article examined the federal government's proposal to establish a new Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission of Canada, a regulator that would oversee both online safety and private-sector privacy matters.

The proposed body—which would assume broad responsibilities spanning privacy protection, digital governance, online harms, artificial intelligence, complaints management and regulatory enforcement—could reshape Canada's digital regulatory landscape. At the same time, it also raises important questions about implementation, oversight, and regulatory certainty for businesses navigating evolving privacy and data governance requirements.

Speaking with columnist Campbell Clark, Michael Walsh, a government affairs and privacy lawyer at Gowling WLG, highlighted the unprecedented scope of the proposed regulator and the challenges that may accompany such an expansive mandate:

“This kind of model for a digital regulator of this size with such a large footprint is pretty unprecedented.”

As Canada advances major reforms in privacy, online safety, and AI governance, Michael's comments underscore the significance of creating a regulatory framework that balances consumer protection with practical implementation and clear guidance for organizations operating in the digital economy.

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