Canada has comprehensive data privacy laws that govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information. The main legislation that governs data privacy in Canada is the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which applies to organizations operating in Canada that collect, use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities.
Under PIPEDA, organizations are required to obtain an individual’s consent before collecting, using, or disclosing their personal information. They must also take appropriate measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification. Organizations must also be transparent about their privacy practices and policies, and provide individuals with access to their personal information upon request.
In addition to PIPEDA, several provinces in Canada have their own data privacy laws, such as the Personal Information Protection Act in Alberta and the Personal Information Protection Act in British Columbia.
It is important to note that as of November 2020, Canada has enacted new privacy legislation called the Digital Charter Implementation Act (DCIA), which is set to modernize and update PIPEDA. The new law is expected to introduce stronger protections for Canadians’ personal information, including enhanced consent requirements, new data portability rights, and increased enforcement powers for the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.