Joanna is a member of the Privacy and Data Management group. She provides practical and strategic privacy compliance advice to organizations across all sectors, from large multi-national companies to emerging companies.
Joanna regularly assists clients in identifying and managing privacy risks associated with complex and innovative data collection and use initiatives, including interest-based advertising, “big data” analytics, AI, surveillance technologies, and anti-fraud initiatives. Joanna also assists clients with security incident response and privacy regulatory investigations, including liaising with federal and provincial privacy regulators in Canada.
She regularly provides privacy and anti-spam training to clients, drafts privacy policies and procedures, conducts privacy reviews, and advises on privacy issues in mergers and acquisitions and outsourcing arrangements (including transborder data flows).
Representative Work
- CNH Industrial
CNH Industrial in its agreement to acquire Hemisphere GNSS for $175 million
- Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co. in its US$ 100 million sale to Ellimist Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Québecor
Québecor and its wholly-owned subsidiary Videotron Ltd. in their $2.85 billion acquisition of Freedom Mobile Inc. from Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.
- Verisk Analytics
Verisk Analytics in its acquisition of Opta
- Security Compass Technologies
Security Compass Technologies in the sale of its consulting business to Kroll
- Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.
Dialogue in its $100 million IPO
- Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division
Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking in its $1.13 billion acquisition of People Corporation
- CDL Rapid Screening Consortium
CDL Rapid Screening Consortium in its pilot program
- Smooch Technologies Holding ULC
Smooch Technologies Holdings ULC in its acquisition by Zendesk, Inc.
- Scientific Games Corporation
Scientific Games Corporation in its acquisition of Don Best Sports
- Tencent Holdings Limited
Tencent Holdings Limited in its US$50 million investment in Kik Interactive Inc.
- Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.
Dialogue in its acquisition by Sun Life Financial
- BCE Inc.
BCE Inc. in its ground breaking pension de-risking strategy
CNH Industrial in its agreement to acquire Hemisphere GNSS for $175 million
Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co. in its US$ 100 million sale to Ellimist Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Québecor and its wholly-owned subsidiary Videotron Ltd. in their $2.85 billion acquisition of Freedom Mobile Inc. from Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.
Verisk Analytics in its acquisition of Opta
Security Compass Technologies in the sale of its consulting business to Kroll
- Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.
Dialogue in its $100 million IPO
- Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division
Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking in its $1.13 billion acquisition of People Corporation
- CDL Rapid Screening Consortium
CDL Rapid Screening Consortium in its pilot program
- Smooch Technologies Holding ULC
Smooch Technologies Holdings ULC in its acquisition by Zendesk, Inc.
- Scientific Games Corporation
Scientific Games Corporation in its acquisition of Don Best Sports
- Tencent Holdings Limited
Tencent Holdings Limited in its US$50 million investment in Kik Interactive Inc.
- Dialogue Health Technologies Inc.
Dialogue in its acquisition by Sun Life Financial
- BCE Inc.
BCE Inc. in its ground breaking pension de-risking strategy
Latest Insights
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Webinar May 29, 2024
AccessPrivacy Monthly Call: Legislative Reform in the Canadian Privacy and Data Arena
In this month’s webinar, Adam Kardash is joined by Partners and Special Counsel from Osler's Privacy and Data...
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Webinar Feb 28, 2024
AccessPrivacy Workshop: OPC Draft Guidance for Processing Biometrics: Call for Comments
An interactive workshop designed to help organizations and trade associations understand the scope, meaning, and impact of the proposed guidance, and...
Read more
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Webinar Jun 14, 2023
AccessPrivacy Workshop: CAI Consent Guidelines Consultation
The Commission d'accès à l'information (CAI) has prepared draft guidelines on the criteria for the validity of consent under Law 25's amendments to...
Read more
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Webinar Feb 1, 2023
AccessPrivacy Monthly Call: Self-regulatory developments in the Canadian digital advertising arena
The webinar provides privacy professionals with a unique opportunity to stay current in the rapidly-evolving field of privacy and data governance...
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Awards and Recognition
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Recognized in Privacy & Data Protection
—Chambers Canada -
“Stand-out Lawyer” 2024
—Thomson Reuters -
Recognized in Privacy and Data Security Law 2025
—Best Lawyers in Canada -
Recognized in Technology and Health Sciences 2024
—Lexpert Special Edition
Media Mentions
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Osler News Feb 5, 2021
Osler helps support the launch of CDL Rapid Screening Consortium pilot program
COVID-19 is an unprecedented health crisis that has resulted in a loss of economic activity and the disruption of daily life. To address this...
Read more -
Osler News Mar 1, 2017
Congratulations to our new counsel
Osler is pleased to announce the admission of the following Toronto-based senior associates to the role of counsel.
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, OPC Biometrics Consultation – Submission Overview, February 13, 2024
Speaker, “Monthly Privacy Call – May 29, 2024”, May 29, 2024
Speaker, Access Privacy Biometrics – February 8, 2024
Speaker, Osgoode 2nd Annual Update: Privacy and Cybersecurity Law and Practice – January 17, 2024
Speaker, CAI Consent Guidelines Consultation – AccessPrivacy Workshop – June 14, 2023
Speaker, “What Advertisers and Their Counsel Need to Know About Privacy Laws: Understanding How New Privacy Legislation in Canada are Impacting Canadian Advertising,” Advertising & Marketing Law, The Canadian Institute, January 19, 2023
Speaker, “The Regulatory Landscape,” The Osgoode Certificate in Privacy Law and Information in Healthcare, Osgoode Hall Law School, January 18, 2023
Speaker, “Realizing the Value of Your Data”, Chartered Professional Accountants Canada, Conference for Audit Committees, December 6, 2022
Speaker, “Canadian Update”, “Access to Information and Privacy Law Online Symposium,” Canadian Bar Association, October 28, 2022
Speaker, “Managing Cybersecurity Risks”, CAN TECH Law Conference, June 7, 2022
Speaker, “The Regulatory Landscape,” The Osgoode Certificate in Privacy Law and Information in Healthcare, Osgoode Hall Law School, January 18, 2022
Speaker, “The Regulatory Landscape,” The Osgoode Certificate in Privacy Law and Information in Healthcare, Osgoode Hall Law School, January 18, 2021.
Speaker, June Access Privacy Call, June 25, 2022
Speaker, “Dealing with Data: Managing Proprietary Rights,” 10th In-House Counsel Summit, Law Society of Ontario, February 19, 2020.
Speaker, “The European Data Protection Board’s final guidelines on territorial scope of GDPR and what it means for Canadian businesses”, AccessPrivacy Monthly Privacy Call, December 18, 2019.
Co-author, Osler Update “FINTRAC updates guidance regarding identity verification methods permitted under amendments to anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regulations”, November 26, 2019.
Speaker, “Privacy and Data Security Compliance in the APEC Region,” Practising Law Institute’s 19th Annual Institute on Privacy and Data Security Law, May 30, 2018.
Speaker, “An Update on Privacy in Canada,” International Association of Privacy Professionals, Atlanta KnowledgeNet, June 23, 2015.
Speaker, “The Six-Minute Business Lawyer 2015: Privacy Law Developments,” Law Society of Upper Canada, June 10, 2015.
Co-Chair, “CASL One Year Later: Advice for Preventing a $1.1 Million Penalty”, Ontario Bar Association, June 5, 2015.
Speaker, “Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) Update,” AccessPrivacy Advanced Training for Seasoned CPOs, November 28, 2014.
Moderator, “The Next CASL Frontier: Tackling Section 8 (Computer Program) Uncertainties,” Ontario Bar Association, November 19, 2014.
Speaker, “Compliance with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation,” AccessPrivacy Introductory CPO Training Session, October 29, 2014.
Speaker, “Critical Privacy Issues in Entertainment, Media and Communication Law: Navigating the Privacy Challenges of New Technology: A case study of Second Screen Technology and Interactive Media,” Ontario Bar Association, June 11, 2014.
Speaker, “Privacy and Anti-Spam Overview,” Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada’s X-Series: Legal, Toronto, November 12, 2013.
Speaker, “The Six-Minute Business Lawyer 2013: Update on Privacy Law,” Law Society of Upper Canada, June 6, 2013.Co-author, Canada chapter in Rosemary P. Jay, ed., Getting the Deal Through – Data Protection & Privacy 2014 (Law Business Research Ltd., 2013).
Speaker, “Emerging Themes and Trends in The Canadian Privacy Arena: Anti-Spam Legislation to Security Breaches,” Women in Film & Television Toronto Executive Breakfast Series, February 20, 2013.
Speaker, “Update on Background Verifications” and “Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation,” AccessPrivacy CPO Training Session, November 9, 2012.
Speaker, “Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation,” AccessPrivacy CPO Training Session, October 12, 2012.
Published Work
- Author, “CRTC Releases First Set of Guidelines on Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation,” Eye on Privacy, December 2012.
- Co-author, Canada chapter in Rosemary P. Jay, ed., Getting the Deal Through – Data Protection & Privacy 2013 (Law Business Research Ltd., 2012).
- Co-author, “Anti-spam bill sends tough message to spammers,” The Lawyers Weekly, June 5, 2009.
- Co-author, Update 2006: Recent Changes to Ontario’s Environmental Laws, OBA Annual Institute, Toronto, January 23, 2006.
- Co-author, “CMS v. Argentina: A Harbinger of Things to Come?” International Trade Law and Regulation, Vol. 12, Issue 1 (January 2006) 36.
- Co-author, “Contracting Issues in China – Examining Opportunities and Challenges of Doing Business in China,” North American Corporate Lawyer Vol. 8, No. 4 (2006) 477.
Credentials
Education
- University of Toronto, J.D.
- York University, M.E.S.
- McGill University, B.A.
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Canadian Bar Association
- The Canadian Technology Law Association
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
- Ontario Bar Association, member of the Privacy Law Section Executive
- The Law Society of Ontario
- Toronto Computer Lawyers' Group
