The watchdog’s initial seven-year term was due to expire next week. The privacy commissioner can be reappointed for up to seven more years following their first stint. (The Logic)

Talking point: Therrien has been a frequent critic of the Liberal government’s approach to and implementation of data regulation. He’s called for privacy to be enshrined as a fundamental right in legislation, and has said Bill C-11—Ottawa’s proposed overhaul of consumer information protection law—is a “step back” from the existing law, despite its age; it was enacted in 2001. Therrien has also pushed for ministers’ offices to be brought under public-sector privacy rules, and for political parties’ information practices to be subject to restrictions. Some of his moves have raised private-sector concerns, including a shelved approach to regulating the transfer of data across borders. The Liberals have made other last-minute reappointments during the pandemic.