Privacy in the Digital Economy

In order to build consumer trust and confidence in conducting e-business in Canada the Government of Canada is committed to establishing clear rules to protect the privacy of personal information in the new 'virtual' marketplace. This is being done through the implementation of Federal privacy legislation, and through development of a national policy on unsolicited consumer e-mail, otherwise know as SPAM.

The PIPEDA Review began November 20, 2006.

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

The Government of Canada reminds Canadians that the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) came into full effect on January 1, 2004.

The PIPEDA applies to all personal information collected, used or disclosed by private sector organizations in the course of commercial activity. Its privacy provisions are based on the Canadian Standards Association's Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information (CAN/CSA-Q830-96). Key among the Act's provisions are:

• organizations are required to seek the consent of individuals prior to collecting, using or disclosing their personal information;



• organizations must protect personal information with security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information; and



• individuals may access personal information about themselves held by an organization and have it corrected, if necessary.

The PIPEDA, already applicable since January 1, 2001 to federally regulated industries, such as banking and telecommunications, now applies to provincially regulated businesses. Organizations subject to provincial laws that have been deemed substantially similar to the PIPEDA, may by Order in Council, be exempt from the PIPEDA for all intra-provincial transactions.

Organizations are encouraged to consult the various information sources available to guide them in adopting the necessary procedures to comply with the Act. Included among these are:

• for small business;
• for the health sector; and
• for all organizations.

Related Regulations

Order Binding Certain Agents of her Majesty for the Purposes of Part 1 of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
Canada Gazette

Regulations Specifying Publicly Available Information
Canada Gazette

For more information see the following sections:

• Substantially Similar Information
• Health & Privacy Information
• Investigative Bodies
• International Issues
• Background Material
• Related Links