News release
Privacy Commissioners of Canada and Ontario update memorandum of understanding for sharing information
September 11, 2025 – Gatineau, QC
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Philippe Dufresne, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Patricia Kosseim, to facilitate information-sharing between their Offices on matters of mutual interest.
The memorandum allows the Commissioners to communicate and cooperate with each other, as well as to conduct joint investigations of matters that arise under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s federal private-sector privacy law, or under one or more of the statutes that govern privacy in Ontario.
This memorandum updates one signed between the two Offices in 2014 that established a framework to allow them to consult, cooperate, and share relevant information with respect to matters arising under PIPEDA and Ontario’s Personal Health Information Act. This revised memorandum reflects the ON IPC’s ability to share information pursuant to two other Ontario statutes: the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
The OPC has similar memorandums of understanding with other provinces and territories.
Quote
“Collaboration across jurisdictions is important, as it allows us to leverage our collective expertise and influence to address and advance privacy protections for Canadians. Updating this Memorandum of Understanding with Ontario will further strengthen the partnership between our Offices.”
Philippe Dufresne
Privacy Commissioner of Canada
“This agreement comes at a pivotal time. Privacy issues increasingly cross jurisdictional boundaries, and Ontarians rightly expect regulators to work together to address those challenges. The updated MOU gives us the tools to share information, coordinate our approaches, and respond more effectively to emerging privacy risks that affect people in Ontario and across Canada.”
Patricia Kosseim
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Related link
Media contact
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
communications@priv.gc.ca
- Date modified: