Benefits for low-income seniors
Protecting your privacy
Your privacy is protected by law.
The Old Age Security Act and Regulations ensure that only specific agencies authorized by the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development are entitled to review the relevant parts of your records. Personal information in your file cannot be given to other agencies or individuals without your consent.
The Access to Information Act also prevents the release of information about you without your consent. There are two exceptions: information can be released if it has already been made public or if the release is allowed under the Privacy Act. The Government can use information only for the purpose for which it was collected, except to comply with a warrant or subpoena or to enforce a law.
Can I have access to information on my file?
Yes. You have the right to review information about you that the Government of Canada keeps on file. To help you find it, the Government publishes Info Source: Sources of Federal Government Information.
To obtain information, you must fill out an information request form. These forms and Info Source are available in government offices open to the public, such as Service Canada Centres. They are also available at public libraries, at most rural post offices, at Canadian missions abroad, and on the Internet at http://infosource.gc.ca.