This section is designed provide an introduction to private sector privacy legislation in Canada.  It is provided to promote Nymity's PrivaWorks, which enable privacy risk management.

Private Sector Privacy Acts

Canadian organizations involved in commercial activity are governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) unless they are located in a province that has enacted legislation that has been deemed substantially similar. Introduction to PIPEDA

Note:

1. Federal works are always governed by PIPEDA regardless of location.
   
   
2. PIPEDA applies to all personal information in any interprovincial and international transborder data flow.

Substantially Similar Privacy Acts

• British Columbia - Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Visit Introduction to BC PIPA.
  
  
• Alberta - Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Visit Introduction to AB PIPA.
  
  
• Quebec - Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (PPIPS). Visit Introduction to PQ PPIPS.
  
  
• Ontario may introduce a private sector Act some time in the future.  Ontario has introduced a healthcare privacy Act that has been deemed substantially similar. Introduction to privacy in Ontario.
  
  
• All other provinces are subject to PIPEDA.  Visit Introduction to PIPEDA .

Employee Privacy

All provincial private sector privacy acts cover employee privacy, but the courts have held that Federal Parliament cannot legislate in respect of the employer-employee relationship under its trade and commerce power, which is PIPEDA's underpinning. 

Therefore, with the exception of Federal Works, PIPEDA does not cover employee privacy.

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Public Sector Privacy Acts

Federal: 

• Privacy Act

British Columbia:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Alberta:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Health Information Act

Saskatchewan:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Health Information Protection Act

Manitoba:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Personal Health Information Act

Ontario:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004

Quebec:

• Act Respecting Access to Documents Held by Public Bodies and the Protection of Personal Information

Prince Edward Island:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Newfoundland:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Nova Scotia:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

New Brunswick:

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Yukon:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Northwest Territories:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Nunavut:

• Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

• Informatica Security:  Information security strategy, training, compliance and corporate support.
  
  
• Bennett Gold Chartered Accountants:  Privacy audits and a one day Privacy Checkup.
  
  
• APS Group:  Privacy and Security Services in British Columbia.

• Data Privacy Partners: Privacy and Biometrics.
  
  
• Integrity Incorporated:  Security, privacy and governance advisory services.

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