Suzanne has built a strong practice in access and privacy law. For nearly 30 years, she has been advising both public and private sector employers on their responsibilities as they navigate the implications of Canadian privacy laws, including British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
Suzanne provides a broad range of privacy related legal services including advising on privacy management programs, conducting privacy audits, supporting clients in privacy breach response and cyber security, policy development, training and advising on commercial contracts, data security and cloud services. Suzanne also has extensive experience in advising clients on their freedom of information and access obligations, including in proceedings before privacy commissioners in Canada.
In addition to privacy law, Suzanne has extensive experience in education and health law. Suzanne has represented various healthcare and educational professionals and organizations, providing advice in a range of areas including employment, professional regulatory proceedings and compliance, court and administrative tribunal proceedings, procurement, and contract negotiations.
Recognition
- Recognized Lawyer, Privacy and Data Security Law, Best Lawyers in Canada, 2019 – present
- Recognized Lawyer, Education Law; Labour and Employment Law, Best Lawyers in Canada, 2021 – present
Recent Speaking Engagements
- “Issues in Patient Privacy” Privacy Conference, Privacy Conference, January 2025, Canadian Bar Association of BC
- “AI and Governance Frameworks in Education”, Focused Ed BC, IT4K12 Conference 2024, November 2024,
- “Privacy Breaches and Incidents Reporting”, Focused Ed BC, IT4K12 Conference 2024, November 2024
- “Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Crime” BC Association of School Business Officers, November 2024
- “Artificial Intelligence: Challenging Canadian Legal Principles in Privacy, Intellectual Property and Evidence: “Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers September 2024
- “Privacy and Student Risk and Safety: What Educators Need to Know” Safer Schools Together Conference, October 2024
- “Top 10 Topics in Privacy and Access” January 2023, Privacy Conference, Canadian Bar Association of BC
- “ChatGPT Wrote This Title: Workplace Wizardry – Mastering the Art of AI Management”, CPHR HR Conference & Expo 2024, April 2024
- “Privacy: Latest Issues Regarding Privacy And Tracking Employees”, (co-presenter), Annual Conference, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of BC & Yukon, May 2017
- “New Technology in the Workplace”, 2016 AGM and Conference, Community Social Services Employers’ Association of British Columbia, October 2016
- “Social Media And The Workplace”, Conference Board of Canada, 2015
- “Privacy And The Structure Of Healthcare”, Guest Lecturer, Masters of Health Administration, University of British Columbia, 2015
Recent Publications
- “Navigating AI in the Workplace: Policy-Drafting for the Inevitable”, PeopleTalk Online, January 2024
- “Balancing Innovation with Caution – Understanding the Risks of Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry” September 2024
- “Liability For Statements About Employees And Students”, Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education
- “Sexual Misconduct In Schools”, Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education
Recent Cases
- Order F25-06 (OIPC BC)
- Order F24-81 (OIPC BC)
- Order F24-77 (OIPC BC)
- Order F24-62 (OIPC BC)
- Order F24-48 (OIPC BC)
- Order F24-26 (OIPC BC)
- Order F24-07 (OIPC BC)
- OIPC F23-109 (OIPC BC)
Professional & Community Involvement
- Member, UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board
- Member, Administrative Law, Health Law, Freedom of Information & Privacy Law sections, Canadian Bar Association, BC branch
- Member International Association of Privacy Professional Member (CIPP-C Certification)
- Former Chair, Health Law subsection, Canadian Bar Association
- Former Executive Member, Information and Privacy subsection, Canadian Bar Association
- Former Member, BC Cancer Agency Research Ethics Board
- Girl Guides of Canada, 2011 – 2015
Practice Areas
Year of Call
- British Columbia, 1997
Education
- LLB, Osgoode Hall, York University, 1996
- BA, University of British Columbia, 1993
- Advanced Mediation, Centre for Mediation in Law, San Francisco, California