Organizational Structure
Investigations Branch
The Privacy Act Investigations Branch
The Privacy Act (PA) Investigations Branch receives and investigates complaints under the Privacy Act from individuals who believe they have not been given access to their personal information held by government institutions, or feel that their information has been inappropriately, collected, used, disclosed or managed. The Branch also investigates complaints that are initiated by the Commissioner, and receives notifications of breaches from federal government organizations. The Branch is headed by Ms. Sue Lajoie, the Director General, PA Investigations.
The PIPEDA Investigations Branch
The PIPEDA Investigations Branch investigates complaints under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). It is divided between Gatineau and Toronto. In Gatineau, the Branch receives and investigates all complaints of national scope filed by individuals or initiated by the Commissioner, from anywhere in Canada except from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In Toronto, the Branch investigates complaints from the GTA and coordinates public education and stakeholder outreach activities in the GTA. The Branch is headed by Mr. Brent Homan, Director General, PIPEDA in Gatineau, who also oversees the Toronto Office, which is headed by a Director reporting to Mr. Homan.
Audit and Review Branch
The Audit and Review Branch audits organizations to assess their compliance with the requirements set out in the two federal privacy laws. The Branch also analyses and provides recommendations on privacy impact assessment reports (PIAs) submitted to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) pursuant to the Treasury Board Secretariat Directive on Privacy Impact Assessment. It also receives and reviews public interest disclosures made by federal government organizations. The Branch is headed by Mr. Steven Morgan, Director General.
Communications Branch
The Communications Branch focuses on providing strategic advice and support for communications and public education activities for the OPC. In addition, the Branch plans and implements a variety of public education and communications activities through media monitoring and analysis, public opinion polling, media relations, publications, special events, outreach activities and the OPC web sites. The Branch is also responsible for the OPC’s Information Centre, which responds to requests for information from the public and organizations regarding privacy rights and responsibilities. The Branch is headed by Ms. Anne-Marie Hayden, Director General.
Legal Services, Policy, Research and Technology Analysis Branch
The Legal Services, Policy, Research and Technology Analysis Branch provides strategic legal and policy advice and conducts research on emerging privacy issues. The Legal Services Division provides legal advice to PIPEDA and PA Investigations, Audit and Review, and other operational branches across the OPC. It represents the OPC in litigation matters before the courts and in negotiations with other parties. The Policy and Research Division develops strategic policy positions on legislative bills, government programs and initiatives; supports the Commissioner’s appearances before Parliament; develops policy guidance for public and private sector initiatives; and conducts applied research on emerging privacy issues. This Division also manages the OPC Contributions Program which funds external researchers to advance and apply new knowledge about data protection in the private sector. The Technology Analysis Division identifies and analyzes technological trends and developments in electronic platforms and digital media; conducts research to assess the impact of technology on the protection of personal information in the digital world and provides strategic analysis and guidance on complex, varied and sensitive technological issues involving breaches in the security of government and commercial systems that store personal information. The Branch is headed by Ms. Patricia Kosseim, Senior General Counsel and Director General.
Human Resources Management Branch
The Human Resources Management Branch is responsible for the provision of strategic advice, management and delivery of comprehensive human resource management programs in areas such as staffing, classification, staff relations, human resource planning, learning and development, employment equity, official languages and compensation. The Branch is headed by Ms. Maureen Munhall, Director.
Corporate Services Branch
The Corporate Services Branch provides advice and integrated administrative services such as corporate planning, resource management, financial management, information management/technology and general administration to managers and staff. The Branch is headed by Mr. Daniel Nadeau, Director General and Chief Financial Officer.