Canadian Cyber Privacy Regulations I Brit Insurance

We’ve compiled this information on privacy and cybersecurity legislation in Canada.

It’s designed as a high-level overview with links to sources for further research. Please read our disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

Privacy

Canada has two privacy laws that are enforced by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:

  1. Personal Information Protection and Electronics Act (PIPEDA) which covers how businesses handle personal information
  2. Privacy Act, which covers how the federal government handles personal information. 

Privacy

PIPEDA

PIPEDA sets the ground rules for how private-sector organisations collect, use, and disclose personal information in the course of for-profit, commercial activities across Canada. It also applies to the personal information of employees of federally-regulated business such as Banks, Airlines and Telecommunications companies. 

In the event of a breach, PIPEDA requires that the notification be given "as soon as feasible after the organisation determines that the breach has occurred.” 

PIPEDA does not apply to organisations that operate entirely within Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec. These three provinces have general private-sector laws that have been deemed substantially similar to PIPEDA. 

Organisations that operate across multiple provinces may need to comply with up to four privacy laws – three provincial laws and the federal regulation.

PIPEDA

Bill C-27

Also known as the Digital Charter Implementation Act, is a draft privacy law in Canada. Once signed into law, it will regulate the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in Canada on the federal level and will apply to private-sector organisations. 

Bill C-27

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Laws/Regulations directly regulating AI

Canada is expected to regulate AI at the federal level, through the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), which forms part of Bill C-27, and also includes the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (an update to the current federal privacy law) and the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act. Find out more from White & Case.

Read more

A quick disclaimer about this advice

The information here is not, and doesn’t intend to be, legal advice.

All information, content, and materials are for general information only. The information may not be the most up-to-date, legally or otherwise and may not be exhaustive. This website contains links to other websites – these are for convenience; Brit does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

A quick disclaimer about this advice

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