Statement by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on Bill C-4

February 12, 2026
Ottawa, ON

Opening statement by Philippe Dufresne
Privacy Commissioner of Canada

(Check against delivery)

---

Mr. Chair, Members of the Committee.

Thank you for inviting me to discuss the privacy implications of Bill C-4, the Making Life More Affordable for Canadians Act.

As Privacy Commissioner of Canada, my mission is to protect and promote individuals’ fundamental right to privacy. I am responsible for overseeing compliance with federal privacy laws. The Privacy Act governs how the federal government handles personal information, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, or PIPEDA, applies to the private sector.

Political parties – which collect highly sensitive personal information – are not currently covered under either law.

Yet, we know that privacy matters to Canadians. A survey conducted by my Office last year found that nine in 10 Canadians are concerned about the protection of their privacy and the survey also found that trust in how personal information is handled is becoming an important factor in individual’s interactions with organizations. As I have consistently said, privacy is a fundamental right. Privacy supports the public interest and it enhances Canadians’ trust in their public institutions.

In my view, and for these reasons, Canadian voters’ fundamental right to privacy should be protected with a privacy regime for political parties that goes beyond self-regulation; one that provides meaningful privacy standards; and that ensures independent oversight.

Privacy rules for political parties should parallel requirements that are already set out for public and private sector organizations under federal law – while being adapted to the unique role that political parties play in the democratic process.

I have three key recommendations for improving Bill C-4 to better protect electors’ personal information.

First, I recommend that Bill C-4 be amended to incorporate privacy standards that form the basic elements in data protection laws in Canada and around the world.

These would include requirements for political parties to identify the purposes for which personal information is being collected; to seek consent as appropriate; to limit collection, use and disclosure; and to put in place appropriate safeguards to protect the information from privacy breaches. The Bill should also provide a mechanism for electors to access and correct their personal information held by political parties.

My second recommendation is that Bill C-4 include privacy breach notification provisions. Requiring that breaches be reported to affected individuals as well as to an independent body such as the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Elections Canada and/or the Commissioner of Canada Elections would provide important protections to Canadians.

My third recommendation would be to improve oversight by allowing for formal collaboration between my Office, the Commissioner of Canada Elections and Elections Canada. Enabling inter-agency collaboration would improve the work of regulators, and would allow us to address complex issues that cut across sectors and jurisdictions.

Privacy is a fundamental right that is directly linked to democracy itself. Prioritizing privacy protects Canadians, it supports the Canadian economy and strengthens Canadian institutions. Prioritizing privacy is good for Canada.

Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.