Independent expert to review Katz report for privacy concerns

Oct. 10, 2006

Memorial University has identified an independent expert in privacy matters to review the report of Dr. Shirley Katz. Dr. Katz's report resulted from her investigation into the employment experience of Dr. Deepa Khosla (for more information on the matter, see http://www.mun.ca/marcomm/home/katz_report.php).

Brian Bowman, a lawyer with Pitblado LLP. in Winnipeg has been asked by Memorial to review the report for the purposed of redacting (i.e. severing) information that must be protected under privacy law.

Dr. Axel Meisen, Memorial's president, says that he expects Mr. Bowman to complete the work by the end of October.

"I remain committed to releasing as much of Dr. Katz's report as possible in accordance with the privacy legislation of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Dr. Meisen. "Mr. Bowman is an expert in the field. his work will be done independent of the university and I am confident that his review will enable us to release the redacted report in a timely fashion."

Background - Brian Bowman

A graduate of the University of Toronto and the University of Manitoba, Mr. Bowman practices in the areas of corporate and commercial law with an emphasis on privacy, access to information, advertising and marketing, intellectual property and technology matters.  Neither he nor his firm have had any previous association with Memorial University.

He has been recognized by the Canadian privacy law review as one of Canada's "leading privacy law authorities".

He assists multi-national, national and locally-based organizations and individuals with a broad range of matters including compliance with privacy legislation, leveraging intellectual property assets, dealing with access to information requests, as well as issues related to the various rules impacting advertising and marketing.

He is a frequent speaker and author regarding his areas of expertise. He also writes a regular column entitled "On the Cutting Edge" in the business section of the Winnipeg Free Press and is often asked to provide media commentary by news organizations including the CBC, CTV, Global Television, Globe and Mail and National Post.


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