Cities for Digital Rights - by Councillor Paul Ainslie, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

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The decision

2019-06-18 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on June 18 and 19, 2019, adopted the following: 1. City Council authorize the City Manager to engage in the necessary arrangements for the City of Toronto to sign on to the declaration of Cities Coalition for Digital Rights and City Council direct the appropriate City Staff to: a. create new, public and free programming in partnership with the Toronto Public Library to further digital safety and literacy among its citizens throughout the year; b.

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evaluate City divisional policies on ethical digital standards and create a code of technological practices to be implemented across City divisions; c. explore new platforms to engage citizens and communities better and expand the Open Data Program already in place by the City; and d. work with NGOs, entrepreneurs, start-ups and tech companies to find solutions to public policy issues affecting urban life. 2. City Council direct the City Manager to report back to the November 26, 2019 City Council meeting to provide an update.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

The Cities for Digital Rights is an organization that was formed "to Protect and uphold human rights on the internet at the local and global level." Recently over 25 cities have signed the declaration supporting the 5 point declaration, including Chicago, New York and London. The Government of Canada understood the importance of a changing digital economy by creating a Federal Digital Charter setting the stage for Canadian Cities to create their own policy aimed at protecting the rights of internet users, that would include ensuring the public's private information remains private, protect freedom of expression, have parameters put in place to protect all from hate speech or hate propaganda and more.

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As such, the City of Toronto should adopt its own digital infrastructure, data and Smart Cities policy framework and governance plan to ensure that the digital rights of its constituents are upheld.

Staff recommended

Councillor Paul Ainslie, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the City Manager to engage in the necessary arrangements for the City of Toronto to sign on to the declaration of Cities Coalition for Digital Rights and City Council direct the appropriate City Staff to: a. create new, public and free programming in partnership with the Toronto Public Library to further digital safety and literacy among its citizens throughout the year; b.

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evaluate City divisional policies on ethical digital standards and create a code of technological practices to be implemented across City divisions; c. explore new platforms to engage citizens and communities better and expand the Open Data Program already in place by the City; and d. work with NGO's, entrepreneurs, start-ups and tech companies to find solutions to public policy issues affecting urban life. 2. City Council direct the City Manager to report back to the November 26, 2019 City Council meeting to provide an update.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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