Oversight Offices and Government Organizations

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Québec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Privacy Legislation in Canada (Fact sheet)

Alberta

Laws:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulation
• Health Information Act   (Amendments to HIA and Health Information Regulation and the Alberta Electronic Health Record Regulation were proclaimed on September 1, 2010) NEW!
• Personal Information Protection Act (see here for details regarding “substantially similar” determination in relation to PIPEDA)

Oversight:

Frank Work, Q.C.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta
410, 9925 - 109 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2J8
Phone: (780) 422-6860
Toll Free: 1(888) 878-4044
Fax: (780) 422-5682
Email: ipcab@planet.eon.net
Web Site: http://www.oipc.ab.ca

Government Agencies Responsible:

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

Access and Privacy
Service Alberta
3rd Floor, Commerce Place
10155 - 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4
Main Number: (780) 422-2657
Help Desk: (780) 427-5848
Fax: (780) 427-1120
Email: foiphelpdesk@gov.ab.ca
Web Site: http://foip.alberta.ca and http://www.servicealberta.ca/foip/whats-new.cfm

Health Information Act:

Alberta Health and Wellness
Email: inquiries(AHINFORM@health.gov.ab.ca)
Web Site: http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/

British Columbia

Laws:

• See here for details on the following laws and associated regulations:

  • Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  • Personal Information Protection Act (see here for details regarding “substantially similar” determination in relation to PIPEDA)
  • E-Health (Personal Health Information Access and Protection of Privacy) Act

Oversight:

Elizabeth Denham
Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
P.O. Box 9038, Stn. Prov. Govt.
756 Fort Street, 3rd Floor
Victoria, British Columbia  V8V 1X4
Phone: (250) 387-5629
Toll-free: 1 (800) 663-7867 (free within B.C.)
Fax: (250) 387-1696
Email: info@oipc.bc.ca
Web Site: http://www.oipc.bc.ca/

Government Agencies Responsible:

Knowledge and Information Services Branch
Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services
Government of British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Phone: (250) 387-1992
Toll-free: 1 (800) 663-7867 (free within B.C.)
Email: cpiaadmin@gov.bc.ca
Web Site: http://www.cio.gov.bc.ca/services/privacy/

British Columbia’s E-Health Program
Ministry of Health Services
1515 Blanshard Street
Victoria, British Columbia  V8W 3C8
Health and Seniors' Information Line
Toll-free in BC: 1 (800) 465-4911
In Victoria or from other areas: (250) 952-1742
Email: Robert.Adam@gov.bc.ca
Web site: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/ehealth/index.html

Manitoba

Laws:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulation
• Personal Health Information Act and regulation (See the here for details about the amendments that were proclaimed on May 1, 2010.) NEW!

Oversight:

Irene Hamilton, Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
750 - 500 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 3X1
Phone: (204) 982-9130
Toll-free: 1 (800) 665-0531
Fax: (204) 942-7803
Email: ombudsma@ombudsman.mb.ca
Web Site: http://www.ombudsman.mb.ca/

Government Agencies Responsible:

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism
Archives of Manitoba
3 - 200 Vaughan Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 1T5
Phone: (204) 945-0513
Fax: (204) 948-2008
Email: govrecs@gov.mb.ca
Web Site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/fippa/index.html

Personal Health Information Act:

Manitoba Health
Legislative Unit
300 Carling Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3B 3M9
Phone: (204) 788-6612
Fax: (204) 945-1020
Email: rneufeld@gov.mb.ca
Web Site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/phia/index.html

Manitoba eHealth: http://www.manitoba-ehealth.ca/

New Brunswick

Laws:

• Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Regulations (came into force on September 1, 2010) 
• Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act and Regulations (came into force on September 1, 2010). (see here for details regarding “substantially similar” determination in relation to PIPEDA) NEW! 

Oversight:

Anne E. Bertrand, Q.C., Access to Information and Privacy Commissioner
Office of the Access to Information and Privacy Commissioner
65 Regent Street, Suite 230
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 7H8
Phone: (506) 453-5965
Toll Free: 1 (877) 755-2811
Fax: (506) 453-5963
E-mail: access.info.privacy@gnb.ca
Web site: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/contacts/dept_renderer.201145.html

Bernard Richard, Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
Sterling House
P. O. Box 6000
767 Brunswick Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 5H1
Phone: (506) 453-2789
Fax: (506) 453-5599
Email: nbombud@gnb.ca
Web Site: http://www.gnb.ca/0073/index-e.asp

Government Agencies Responsible:

Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

Supply and Services
Phone (506) 444-4180
E-mail: Info.priv@gnb.ca
Web site: http://www.gnb.ca/info/rti/index-e.asp

Personal Health Information Privacy and Access Act:

Corporate Privacy Office
Department of Health
Mailing Address:
HSBC Place
Floor: 5, P. O. Box 5100
Fredericton, New Brunswick  E3B 5G8
Phone: (506) 457-4800   
Email: questions.dh-mscpo-bpvp@gnb.ca
Web site: http://www.gnb.ca/0051/acts/index-e.asp

Newfoundland and Labrador

Laws:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Regulations
• Personal Health Information Act and Pharmacy Network Regulations (Note: Part of this law came into force in 2009. The rest of the provisions are not yet in force. See here for current status)

Oversight:

Ed Ring, Information and Privacy Commissioner
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador
2^nd floor, 34 Pippy Place
P.O. Box 13004, Station A
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 3V8
Phone: (709) 729-6309
Email: commissioner@oipc.nl.ca
http://www.oipc.gov.nl.ca/default.htm

Government Agencies Responsible:

Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Office
Department of Justice
5th Floor, West Block
Confederation Building
P.O Box 8700 Station A
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 4J6
Tel: (709) 729-7072
Web site: http://www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/info/index.html

Personal Health Information Act:

Department of Health and Community Services
List of contacts: http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/department/contact.html

Also see:
Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information
Web site: http://www.nlchi.nl.ca/privacy.php

Northwest Territories

Law:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulations

Oversight:

Elaine Keenan-Bengts, LL.B., B.A.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
5018, 47th street
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories  X1A 2N2
Phone: (867) 669-0976
Fax: (867) 920-2511
Email: atippcomm@theedge.ca

Government Agency Responsible:

Access and Privacy Office
Policy and Planning Division
Department of Justice
Government of the Northwest Territories
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories  X1A 2L9
Phone (867) 920-6418
Email: ATIPP@gov.nt.ca
Web Site: http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/ATIPP/index.shtml

Nova Scotia

Laws:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (and Privacy Review Officer Act) and Regulations
• Part XX of the Municipal Government Act and Regulations
• Personal Information International Disclosure Protection Act and Regulations

Oversight:

Dulcie McCallum
Review Officer
Freedom of Information and Privacy Review Office
P.O. Box 181
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 2M4
Phone: (902) 424-4684
Fax: (902) 424-8303
Email: foipopro@gov.ns.ca
Web Site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/foiro/

Government Agencies Responsible:

List of provincial / municipal privacy contacts:

Web Site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/IAP/contact.asp

Nunavut

Law:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Oversight:

Elaine Keenan-Bengts, LL.B., B.A.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut
5018, 47th street
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories  X1A 2N2
Phone: (867) 669-0976
Fax: (867) 920-2511
Email: atippcomm@theedge.ca
Web Site: http://www.info-privacy.nu.ca/en/home

Ontario

Laws:

This page provides updated guidance and regulations for the following laws:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (see here for details regarding “substantially similar” determination in relation to PIPEDA)

Oversight:

Ann Cavoukian, Ph.D
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario  M4W 1A8
Phone: (416) 326-3333
Toll-free: 1 (800) 387-0073 (free within Ontario)
Fax: (416) 325-9195
Email: info@ipc.on.ca
Web Site: http://www.ipc.on.ca/

Government Agencies Responsible:

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

Office of the Chief Information and Privacy Officer
Contact information: http://www.accessandprivacy.gov.on.ca/english/aboutus/contact.html
Web Site: http://www.accessandprivacy.gov.on.ca/english/index.html

Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004:

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/legislation/bill_31/personal_info.html

Prince Edward Island

Law:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Regulations

Oversight:

Maria C. MacDonald
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Prince Edward Island
J. Angus MacLean Building
180 Richmond Street
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island  C1A 7K7
Telephone: (902) 368-4099
Fax: (902) 368-5947
Email: mlsmith@gov.pe.ca
Web Site: http://www.assembly.pe.ca/index.php3?number=1013943

Government Agency Responsible:

Department of Justice and Public Safety
Telephone:  (902) 569-0568
Web Site: http://www.gov.pe.ca/foipp/index.php3

Québec

Laws:

• Act Respecting Access to Documents Held by Public Bodies and the Protection of Personal Information
• Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (see here for details regarding “substantially similar” determination in relation to PIPEDA)
• An Act to amend the Act respecting health services and social services, the Health Insurance Act and the Act respecting the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec

Oversight:

M^e Jean Chartier
President
Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec
575 Saint-Amable Street, Suite 1.10
Québec, Québec  G1R 1G4
Phone: (418) 528-7741
Fax: (418) 529-3102
Toll-free: 1 (888) 528-7741 (free within Québec)
Email: Cai.Communications@cai.gouv.qc.ca
Web Site: http://www.cai.gouv.qc.ca/index-en.html

Government Agencies Responsible:

Secrétariat à la réforme des institutions démocratiques et à l'accès à l'information
Ministère du Conseil exécutif
Building H
875 Grande Allée East, Suite 2.400
Québec, Québec  G1R 4Y8
Phone: (418) 528-8024
Fax: (418) 528-8094
Email: sridai@mce.gouv.qc.ca
Web Site: http://www.institutions-democratiques.gouv.qc.ca/index_en.htm

This site contains a list of ministries and contacts: http://www.cai.gouv.qc.ca/index-en.html

Santé et Services Sociaux Quebec concerning electronic health records: http://www.dossierdesante.gouv.qc.ca/en_citoyens_DSQ_et_vous.phtml

Saskatchewan

Laws:

Details and regulation on these laws are here:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulations
• Local Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulations
• Health Information Protection Act and regulations

Oversight:

R. Gary Dickson, Q.C.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Saskatchewan
503-1801 Hamilton Street
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 4B4
Phone: (306) 787-8350
Fax: (306) 798-1603
Email: gdickson@oipc.sk.ca
Web Site: http://www.oipc.sk.ca

Government Agencies Responsible:

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

Justice and Attorney General
1020-1874 Scarth Street
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4P 4B3
Phone: (306) 787-5473 Fax: (306) 798-4064
E-mail: accessprivacyjustice@gov.sk.ca

Health Information Protection Act:

Saskatchewan Health Privacy Officer
T.C. Douglas Building
3475 Albert Street
Regina, Saskatchewan  S4S 6X6
Phone: (306) 787-0769
Fax: (306) 787-2974
E-mail: HIPAFOIhelp@health.gov.sk.ca
Web Site: http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/accessandprivacy

Yukon

Law:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and regulations

Oversight:

Tracy-Anne McPhee
Ombudsman and Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Yukon
211 Hawkins Street, Suite 201
P.O. Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory  Y1A 2C6
Phone: (867) 667-8468
Fax: (867) 667-8469
Email: email.ombudsman@ombudsman.yk.ca
Web Site: http://www.ombudsman.yk.ca/

Government Agency Responsible:

ATIPP Office
Information & Communications Technology Division
Department of Infrastructure
Government of Yukon
2071-2nd Avenue
Box 2703
Whitehorse Yukon Y1A 2C6
Phone: (867) 393-7048
Fax: (867) 393-6916
Email: atipp@gov.yk.ca
Web site: http://www.atipp.gov.yk.ca/