Privacy Act Reform

In 2006, the OPC tabled with the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics a comprehensive document entitled Government Accountability for Personal Information: Reforming the Privacy Act. In early 2008, we prepared an Addendum to that document, discussing how events of the past two years illustrate the ongoing need for reform of the Act.

While we wait for a comprehensive modernization initiative, there are some relatively simple changes which would be of significant benefit to Canadians. The 10 Quick Fix changes we are currently proposing to the Privacy Act are not meant to be the definitive statement on Privacy Act reform.

• Privacy Act Reform in an Era of Change and Transparency
  Letter to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics
  March 22, 2016
• Appearance before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on Reform of the Privacy Act
  March 10, 2016
  • Opening Statement by Daniel Therrien, Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• The Necessary Rebirth of the Privacy Act
  Remarks at the Library of Parliament
  Address by Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner of Canada
  Ottawa, Ontario
  November 29, 2013
• Appearance before the the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics regarding 2008-2009 Privacy Act Annual Report and Privacy Act Reform
  November 19, 2009
  • Opening Statement by Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• Appearance before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on Privacy Act Reform
  May 11, 2009
  • Opening Statement by Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner of Canada
  • Privacy Act Reform Recommendations
• Commissioner welcomes legal community’s call for privacy law reform
  August 18, 2008
• Reflections on Reform of the Federal Privacy Act by David H. Flaherty (Printable Adobe version)
  July 18, 2008
• Appearance before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on Privacy Act Reform
  April 29, 2008
  • Statement by Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner of Canada (Printable Adobe version)
  • Recommendations (Printable Adobe version)
  • Reforming the Privacy Act – A Chronology of Recommendations (Printable Adobe version)
• Appearance before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics on the 2008-2009 Main Estimates and on Privacy Act Reform
  April 17, 2008
  • Opening Statement by Jennifer Stoddart, Privacy Commissioner of Canada on Privacy Act Reform
  • Addendum to Government Accountability for Personal Information: Reforming the Privacy Act (Printable Adobe version)
• Government Accountability for Personal Information: Reforming the Privacy Act
  June 5, 2006
• Annual Report to Parliament 2005-2006 – Report on the Privacy Act
  June 2006
• Annual Report to Parliament 2004-2005 – Report on the Privacy Act
  October 2005