Privacy Law

There is both federal and provincial privacy law in Canada.

Federal

There are two federal privacy laws in Canada: the Privacy Act and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Under the Privacy Act, the federal government agencies and departments must respect privacy rights by limiting the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. The federal government holds personal information about individuals, and individuals are permitted under the Privacy Act to request access to the information held about themselves, or make a correction to it.

PIPEDA regulates how the private sector organizes, collects, uses or discloses personal information. This act applies to all organizations involved in commercial activities unless provincial privacy legislation exists that is deemed substantially similar to PIPEDA.

In Alberta, the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) is deemed substantially similar to PIPEDA. Therefore, PIPA governs how the private sector handles personal information in Alberta.

For more information about federal privacy law, visit:

• Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

  • The Federal Privacy Commissioner Fact Sheet

    More detailed information about the two federal privacy laws: Privacy Act and PIPEDA.

  • Privacy Legislation

    Link to the Privacy Act, PIPEDA, and substantially similar provincial legislation.

  • Your Privacy Responsibilities: A Guide for Businesses and Organizations

    Helps businesses understand and meet obligations under Part 1 of PIPEDA.

  • Your Privacy Rights: A Guide for Individuals

The Business Link

• Protection of Personal Information - Your Responsibilities

Provincial

Provincial governments also have privacy legislation governing the collection, use and disclosure of personal information held by government agencies.

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) oversees privacy legislation in Alberta. The OIPC provides information about four laws in Alberta dealing with the protection of privacy:

• Access to Motor Vehicle Information Regulation (AMVIR)
   
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP)
   
• Health Information Act (HIA)
   
• Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)

• Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC)

Access to Motor Vehicle Information Regulation (AMVIR)

The Access to Motor Vehicle Information Regulation (AMVIR) is a regulation under the Traffic Safety Act of Alberta.

• About AMVIR
   
• Act and Regulations

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act

The Alberta Government has prepared a site about FOIP to help public bodies comply with this legislation.

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
   
• FOIP Act and Regulations

Health Information Act (HIA)

Alberta has enacted legislation that deals specifically with the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information by health care providers and other health care organizations.

• About HIA
   
• HIA Act and Regulations

Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)

Alberta has enacted private-sector privacy legislation: the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). The Alberta Government has a site that provides information to help businesses, non-profit organizations, and professional regulatory organizations to comply with PIPA.

• Personal Information Protection Act
   
• PIPA Act and Regulations

Date Updated: Feb 13, 2007
RDP-1022