Privacy & Data Protection · Canada
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
Canada's federal private-sector privacy law, governing how organisations collect, use and disclose personal information in the course of commercial activity. It takes a principles-based approach built around meaningful consent and accountability.
REGULATOROffice of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)
REGIONCanada
EFFECTIVE2001, with ongoing amendments
Who it applies to
- Private-sector organisations conducting commercial activity in Canada
- Organisations transferring personal data across provincial or national borders
- Federally regulated businesses across all provinces
Key requirements
- Meaningful, informed consent for collection, use and disclosure
- Limiting collection to what's necessary for identified purposes
- Safeguards proportionate to the sensitivity of the information
- Breach reporting to the OPC where there's real risk of significant harm
- Individual access to, and correction of, their own personal information
Maximum penaltyFines up to CAD $100,000 per violation under certain provisions, with reform proposals seeking higher caps
Go to the source
Official resources
Praeferre's summary is a starting point, not legal advice. For the authoritative text and current guidance, go directly to the governing body.
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