Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Draft Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information

PRINCIPLES IN SUMMARY

1. Accountability
An organization is responsible for personal information under its control and shall designate a person who is accountable for the organization's compliance with the following principles.

2. Identifying Purposes
The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be identified by the organization at or before the time the information is collected.

3. Consent
The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information except where inappropriate.

4. Limiting Collection
The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by the organization. Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.

5. Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfilment of those purposes.

6. Accuracy
Personal information shall be as accurate, complete and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.

7. Safeguards
Personal information shall be protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.

8. Openness
An organization shall make readily available to individuals specific information about its policies and practices relating to its handling of personal information.

9. Individual Access
Upon request, an individual shall be informed of the existence, use, and disclosure of personal information about the individual and shall be given access to that information. An individual shall be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.

10. Challenging Compliance
An individual shall be able to challenge compliance with the above principles with the person who is accountable within the organization.