Short Title

Marginal note:Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

PART 1Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

• 2 (1) The definitions in this subsection apply in this Part.

  alternative format

  alternative format, with respect to personal information, means a format that allows a person with a sensory disability to read or listen to the personal information. (support de substitution)

  breach of security safeguards

  breach of security safeguards means the loss of, unauthorized access to or unauthorized disclosure of personal information resulting from a breach of an organization’s security safeguards that are referred to in clause 4.7 of Schedule 1 or from a failure to establish those safeguards. (atteinte aux mesures de sécurité)

  business contact information

  business contact information means any information that is used for the purpose of communicating or facilitating communication with an individual in relation to their employment, business or profession such as the individual’s name, position name or title, work address, work telephone number, work fax number or work electronic address. (coordonnées d’affaires)

  business transaction

  business transaction includes

  • (a) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of an organization or a part of an organization, or any of its assets;

  • (b) the merger or amalgamation of two or more organizations;

  • (c) the making of a loan or provision of other financing to an organization or a part of an organization;

  • (d) the creating of a charge on, or the taking of a security interest in or a security on, any assets or securities of an organization;

  • (e) the lease or licensing of any of an organization’s assets; and

  • (f) any other prescribed arrangement between two or more organizations to conduct a business activity. (transaction commerciale)

  commercial activity

  commercial activity means any particular transaction, act or conduct or any regular course of conduct that is of a commercial character, including the selling, bartering or leasing of donor, membership or other fundraising lists. (activité commerciale)

  Commissioner

  Commissioner means the Privacy Commissioner appointed under section 53 of the Privacy Act. (commissaire)

  Court

  Court means the Federal Court. (Cour)

  federal work, undertaking or business

  federal work, undertaking or business means any work, undertaking or business that is within the legislative authority of Parliament. It includes

  • (a) a work, undertaking or business that is operated or carried on for or in connection with navigation and shipping, whether inland or maritime, including the operation of ships and transportation by ship anywhere in Canada;

  • (b) a railway, canal, telegraph or other work or undertaking that connects a province with another province, or that extends beyond the limits of a province;

  • (c) a line of ships that connects a province with another province, or that extends beyond the limits of a province;

  • (d) a ferry between a province and another province or between a province and a country other than Canada;

  • (e) aerodromes, aircraft or a line of air transportation;

  • (f) a radio broadcasting station;

  • (g) a bank or an authorized foreign bank as defined in section 2 of the Bank Act;

  • (h) a work that, although wholly situated within a province, is before or after its execution declared by Parliament to be for the general advantage of Canada or for the advantage of two or more provinces;

  • (i) a work, undertaking or business outside the exclusive legislative authority of the legislatures of the provinces; and

  • (j) a work, undertaking or business to which federal laws, within the meaning of section 2 of the Oceans Act, apply under section 20 of that Act and any regulations made under paragraph 26(1)(k) of that Act. (entreprises fédérales)

  organization

  organization includes an association, a partnership, a person and a trade union. (organisation)

  personal health information

  personal health information, with respect to an individual, whether living or deceased, means

  • (a) information concerning the physical or mental health of the individual;

  • (b) information concerning any health service provided to the individual;

  • (c) information concerning the donation by the individual of any body part or any bodily substance of the individual or information derived from the testing or examination of a body part or bodily substance of the individual;

  • (d) information that is collected in the course of providing health services to the individual; or

  • (e) information that is collected incidentally to the provision of health services to the individual. (renseignement personnel sur la santé)

  personal information

  personal information means information about an identifiable individual. (renseignement personnel)

  prescribed

  prescribed means prescribed by regulation. (Version anglaise seulement)

  record

  record includes any correspondence, memorandum, book, plan, map, drawing, diagram, pictorial or graphic work, photograph, film, microform, sound recording, videotape, machine-readable record and any other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, and any copy of any of those things. (document)

• Marginal note:Notes in Schedule 1

  (2) In this Part, a reference to clause 4.3 or 4.9 of Schedule 1 does not include a reference to the note that accompanies that clause.

Purpose

Marginal note:Purpose

3 The purpose of this Part is to establish, in an era in which technology increasingly facilitates the circulation and exchange of information, rules to govern the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in a manner that recognizes the right of privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information and the need of organizations to collect, use or disclose personal information for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.

Application

Marginal note:Application

• 4 (1) This Part applies to every organization in respect of personal information that

  • (a) the organization collects, uses or discloses in the course of commercial activities; or

  • (b) is about an employee of, or an applicant for employment with, the organization and that the organization collects, uses or discloses in connection with the operation of a federal work, undertaking or business.

• Marginal note:Application

  (1.1) This Part applies to an organization set out in column 1 of Schedule 4 in respect of personal information set out in column 2.

• Marginal note:Limit

  (2) This Part does not apply to

  • (a) any government institution to which the Privacy Act applies;

  • (b) any individual in respect of personal information that the individual collects, uses or discloses for personal or domestic purposes and does not collect, use or disclose for any other purpose; or

  • (c) any organization in respect of personal information that the organization collects, uses or discloses for journalistic, artistic or literary purposes and does not collect, use or disclose for any other purpose.

• Marginal note:Other Acts

  Footnote ^*(3) Every provision of this Part applies despite any provision, enacted after this subsection comes into force, of any other Act of Parliament, unless the other Act expressly declares that that provision operates despite the provision of this Part.

  • Return to footnote ^*[Note: Subsection 4(3) in force January 1, 2001, see SI/2000-29.]

Marginal note:Business contact information

4.01 This Part does not apply to an organization in respect of the business contact information of an individual that the organization collects, uses or discloses solely for the purpose of communicating or facilitating communication with the individual in relation to their employment, business or profession.

Marginal note:Certificate under Canada Evidence Act

• 4.1 (1) Where a certificate under section 38.13 of the Canada Evidence Act prohibiting the disclosure of personal information of a specific individual is issued before a complaint is filed by that individual under this Part in respect of a request for access to that information, the provisions of this Part respecting that individual’s right of access to his or her personal information do not apply to the information that is subject to the certificate.

• Marginal note:Certificate following filing of complaint

  (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part, where a certificate under section 38.13 of the Canada Evidence Act prohibiting the disclosure of personal information of a specific individual is issued after the filing of a complaint under this Part in relation to a request for access to that information:

  • (a) all proceedings under this Part in respect of that information, including an investigation, audit, appeal or judicial review, are discontinued;

  • (b) the Commissioner shall not disclose the information and shall take all necessary precautions to prevent its disclosure; and

  • (c) the Commissioner shall, within 10 days after the certificate is published in the Canada Gazette, return the information to the organization that provided the information.

• Marginal note:Information not to be disclosed

  (3) The Commissioner and every person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner, in carrying out their functions under this Part, shall not disclose information subject to a certificate issued under section 38.13 of the Canada Evidence Act, and shall take every reasonable precaution to avoid the disclosure of that information.

• Marginal note:Power to delegate

  (4) The Commissioner may not delegate the investigation of any complaint relating to information subject to a certificate issued under section 38.13 of the Canada Evidence Act except to one of a maximum of four officers or employees of the Commissioner specifically designated by the Commissioner for the purpose of conducting that investigation.

DIVISION 1Protection of Personal Information

Marginal note:Compliance with obligations

• 5 (1) Subject to sections 6 to 9, every organization shall comply with the obligations set out in Schedule 1.

• Meaning of should

  (2) The word should, when used in Schedule 1, indicates a recommendation and does not impose an obligation.

• Marginal note:Appropriate purposes

  (3) An organization may collect, use or disclose personal information only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider are appropriate in the circumstances.

Marginal note:Effect of designation of individual

6 The designation of an individual under clause 4.1 of Schedule 1 does not relieve the organization of the obligation to comply with the obligations set out in that Schedule.

Marginal note:Valid consent

6.1 For the purposes of clause 4.3 of Schedule 1, the consent of an individual is only valid if it is reasonable to expect that an individual to whom the organization’s activities are directed would understand the nature, purpose and consequences of the collection, use or disclosure of the personal information to which they are consenting.

Marginal note:Collection without knowledge or consent

• 7 (1) For the purpose of clause 4.3 of Schedule 1, and despite the note that accompanies that clause, an organization may collect personal information without the knowledge or consent of the individual only if

  • (a) the collection is clearly in the interests of the individual and consent cannot be obtained in a timely way;

  • (b) it is reasonable to expect that the collection with the knowledge or consent of the individual would compromise the availability or the accuracy of the information and the collection is reasonable for purposes related to investigating a breach of an agreement or a contravention of the laws of Canada or a province;

  • (b.1) it is contained in a witness statement and the collection is necessary to assess, process or settle an insurance claim;

  • (b.2) it was produced by the individual in the course of their employment, business or profession and the collection is consistent with the purposes for which the information was produced;

  • (c) the collection is solely for journalistic, artistic or literary purposes;

  • (d) the information is publicly available and is specified by the regulations; or

  • (e) the collection is made for the purpose of making a disclosure

    • (i) under subparagraph (3)(c.1)(i) or (d)(ii), or

    • (ii) that is required by law.

• Marginal note:Use without knowledge or consent

  (2) For the purpose of clause 4.3 of Schedule 1, and despite the note that accompanies that clause, an organization may, without the knowledge or consent of the individual, use personal information only if

  • (a) in the course of its activities, the organization becomes aware of information that it has reasonable grounds to believe could be useful in the investigation of a contravention of the laws of Canada, a province or a foreign jurisdiction that has been, is being or is about to be committed, and the information is used for the purpose of investigating that contravention;

  • (b) it is used for the purpose of acting in respect of an emergency that threatens the life, health or security of an individual;

  • (b.1) the information is contained in a witness statement and the use is necessary to assess, process or settle an insurance claim;

  • (b.2) the information was produced by the individual in the course of their employment, business or profession and the use is consistent with the purposes for which the information was produced;

  • (c) it is used for statistical, or scholarly study or research, purposes that cannot be achieved without using the information, the information is used in a manner that will ensure its confidentiality, it is impracticable to obtain consent and the organization informs the Commissioner of the use before the information is used;

  • (c.1) it is publicly available and is specified by the regulations; or

  • (d) it was collected under paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (e).

• Marginal note:Disclosure without knowledge or consent

  (3) For the purpose of clause 4.3 of Schedule 1, and despite the note that accompanies that clause, an organization may disclose personal information without the knowledge or consent of the individual only if the disclosure is

  • (a) made to, in the Province of Quebec, an advocate or notary or, in any other province, a barrister or solicitor who is representing the organization;

  • (b) for the purpose of collecting a debt owed by the individual to the organization;

  • (c) required to comply with a subpoena or warrant issued or an order made by a court, person or body with jurisdiction to compel the production of information, or to comply with rules of court relating to the production of records;

  • (c.1) made to a government institution or part of a government institution that has made a request for the information, identified its lawful authority to obtain the information and indicated that

    • (i) it suspects that the information relates to national security, the defence of Canada or the conduct of international affairs,

    • (ii) the disclosure is requested for the purpose of enforcing any law of Canada, a province or a foreign jurisdiction, carrying out an investigation relating to the enforcement of any such law or gathering intelligence for the purpose of enforcing any such law,

    • (iii) the disclosure is requested for the purpose of administering any law of Canada or a province, or

    • (iv) the disclosure is requested for the purpose of communicating with the next of kin or authorized representative of an injured, ill or deceased individual;

  • (c.2) made to the government institution mentioned in section 7 of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act as required by that section;

  • (d) made on the initiative of the organization to a government institution or a part of a government institution and the organization

    • (i) has reasonable grounds to believe that the information relates to a contravention of the laws of Canada, a province or a foreign jurisdiction that has been, is being or is about to be committed, or

    • (ii) suspects that the information relates to national security, the defence of Canada or the conduct of international affairs;

  • (d.1) made to another organization and is reasonable for the purposes of investigating a breach of an agreement or a contravention of the laws of Canada or a province that has been, is being or is about to be committed and it is reasonable to expect that disclosure with the knowledge or consent of the individual would compromise the investigation;

  • (d.2) made to another organization and is reasonable for the purposes of detecting or suppressing fraud or of preventing fraud that is likely to be committed and it is reasonable to expect that the disclosure with the knowledge or consent of the individual would compromise the ability to prevent, detect or suppress the fraud;

  • (d.3) made on the initiative of the organization to a government institution, a part of a government institution or the individual’s next of kin or authorized representative and

    • (i) the organization has reasonable grounds to believe that the individual has been, is or may be the victim of financial abuse,

    • (ii) the disclosure is made solely for purposes related to preventing or investigating the abuse, and

    • (iii) it is reasonable to expect that disclosure with the knowledge or consent of the individual would compromise the ability to prevent or investigate the abuse;

  • (d.4) necessary to identify the individual who is injured, ill or deceased, made to a government institution, a part of a government institution or the individual’s next of kin or authorized representative and, if the individual is alive, the organization informs that individual in writing without delay of the disclosure;

  • (e) made to a person who needs the information because of an emergency that threatens the life, health or security of an individual and, if the individual whom the information is about is alive, the organization informs that individual in writing without delay of the disclosure;

  • (e.1) of information that is contained in a witness statement and the disclosure is necessary to assess, process or settle an insurance claim;

  • (e.2) of information that was produced by the individual in the course of their employment, business or profession and the disclosure is consistent with the purposes for which the information was produced;

  • (f) for statistical, or scholarly study or research, purposes that cannot be achieved without disclosing the information, it is impracticable to obtain consent and the organization informs the Commissioner of the disclosure before the information is disclosed;

  • (g) made to an institution whose functions include the conservation of records of historic or archival importance, and the disclosure is made for the purpose of such conservation;

  • (h) made after the earlier of

    • (i) one hundred years after the record containing the information was created, and

    • (ii) twenty years after the death of the individual whom the information is about;

  • (h.1) of information that is publicly available and is specified by the regulations; or

  • (h.2) [Repealed, 2015, c. 32, s. 6]

  • (i) required by law.

• Marginal note:Use without consent

  (4) Despite clause 4.5 of Schedule 1, an organization may use personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected in any of the circumstances set out in subsection (2).

• Marginal note:Disclosure without consent

  (5) Despite clause 4.5 of Schedule 1, an organization may disclose personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected in any of the circumstances set out in paragraphs (3)(a) to (h.1).

Marginal note:Definitions

• 7.1 (1) The following definitions apply in this section.

  access

  access means to program, to execute programs on, to communicate with, to store data in, to retrieve data from, or to otherwise make use of any resources, including data or programs on a computer system or a computer network. (utiliser)

  computer program

  computer program has the same meaning as in subsection 342.1(2) of the Criminal Code. (programme d’ordinateur)

  computer system

  computer system has the same meaning as in subsection 342.1(2) of the Criminal Code. (ordinateur)

  electronic address

  electronic address means an address used in connection with

  • (a) an electronic mail account;

  • (b) an instant messaging account; or

  • (c) any similar account. (adresse électronique)

• Marginal note:Collection of electronic addresses, etc.

  (2) Paragraphs 7(1)(a) and (b.1) to (d) and (2)(a) to (c.1) and the exception set out in clause 4.3 of Schedule 1 do not apply in respect of

  • (a) the collection of an individual’s electronic address, if the address is collected by the use of a computer program that is designed or marketed primarily for use in generating or searching for, and collecting, electronic addresses; or

  • (b) the use of an individual’s electronic address, if the address is collected by the use of a computer program described in paragraph (a).

• Marginal note:Accessing a computer system to collect personal information, etc.

  (3) Paragraphs 7(1)(a) to (d) and (2)(a) to (c.1) and the exception set out in clause 4.3 of Schedule 1 do not apply in respect of

  • (a) the collection of personal information, through any means of telecommunication, if the collection is made by accessing a computer system or causing a computer system to be accessed in contravention of an Act of Parliament; or

  • (b) the use of personal information that is collected in a manner described in paragraph (a).

Marginal note:Prospective business transaction

• 7.2 (1) In addition to the circumstances set out in subsections 7(2) and (3), for the purpose of clause 4.3 of Schedule 1, and despite the note that accompanies that clause, organizations that are parties to a prospective business transaction may use and disclose personal information without the knowledge or consent of the individual if

  • (a) the organizations have entered into an agreement that requires the organization that receives the personal information

    • (i) to use and disclose that information solely for purposes related to the transaction,

    • (ii) to protect that information by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information, and

    • (iii) if the transaction does not proceed, to return that information to the organization that disclosed it, or destroy it, within a reasonable time; and

  • (b) the personal information is necessary

    • (i) to determine whether to proceed with the transaction, and

    • (ii) if the determination is made to proceed with the transaction, to complete it.

• Marginal note:Completed business transaction

  (2) In addition to the circumstances set out in subsections 7(2) and (3), for the purpose of clause 4.3 of Schedule 1, and despite the note that accompanies that clause, if the business transaction is completed, organizations that are parties to the transaction may use and disclose personal information, which was disclosed under subsection (1), without the knowledge or consent of the individual if

  • (a) the organizations have entered into an agreement that requires each of them

    • (i) to use and disclose the personal information under its control solely for the purposes for which the personal information was collected, permitted to be used or disclosed before the transaction was completed,

    • (ii) to protect that information by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information, and

    • (iii) to give effect to any withdrawal of consent made under clause 4.3.8 of Schedule 1;

  • (b) the personal information is necessary for carrying on the business or activity that was the object of the transaction; and

  • (c) one of the parties notifies the individual, within a reasonable time after the transaction is completed, that the transaction has been completed and that their personal information has been disclosed under subsection (1).

• Marginal note:Agreements binding

  (3) An organization shall comply with the terms of any agreement into which it enters under paragraph (1)(a) or (2)(a).

• Marginal note:Exception

  (4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a business transaction of which the primary purpose or result is the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition, or lease, of personal information.

Marginal note:Employment relationship

7.3 In addition to the circumstances set out in section 7, for the purpose of clause 4.3 of Schedule 1, and despite the note that accompanies that clause, a federal work, undertaking or business may collect, use and disclose personal information without the consent of the individual if

• (a) the collection, use or disclosure is necessary to establish, manage or terminate an employment relationship between the federal work, undertaking or business and the individual; and

• (b) the federal work, undertaking or business has informed the individual that the personal information will be or may be collected, used or disclosed for those purposes.

Marginal note:Use without consent

• 7.4 (1) Despite clause 4.5 of Schedule 1, an organization may use personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected in any of the circumstances set out in subsection 7.2(1) or (2) or section 7.3.

• Marginal note:Disclosure without consent

  (2) Despite clause 4.5 of Schedule 1, an organization may disclose personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected in any of the circumstances set out in subsection 7.2(1) or (2) or section 7.3.

Marginal note:Written request

• 8 (1) A request under clause 4.9 of Schedule 1 must be made in writing.

• Marginal note:Assistance

  (2) An organization shall assist any individual who informs the organization that they need assistance in preparing a request to the organization.

• Marginal note:Time limit

  (3) An organization shall respond to a request with due diligence and in any case not later than thirty days after receipt of the request.

• Marginal note:Extension of time limit

  (4) An organization may extend the time limit

  • (a) for a maximum of thirty days if

    • (i) meeting the time limit would unreasonably interfere with the activities of the organization, or

    • (ii) the time required to undertake any consultations necessary to respond to the request would make the time limit impracticable to meet; or

  • (b) for the period that is necessary in order to be able to convert the personal information into an alternative format.

  In either case, the organization shall, no later than thirty days after the date of the request, send a notice of extension to the individual, advising them of the new time limit, the reasons for extending the time limit and of their right to make a complaint to the Commissioner in respect of the extension.

• Marginal note:Deemed refusal

  (5) If the organization fails to respond within the time limit, the organization is deemed to have refused the request.

• Marginal note:Costs for responding

  (6) An organization may respond to an individual’s request at a cost to the individual only if

  • (a) the organization has informed the individual of the approximate cost; and

  • (b) the individual has advised the organization that the request is not being withdrawn.

• Marginal note:Reasons

  (7) An organization that responds within the time limit and refuses a request shall inform the individual in writing of the refusal, setting out the reasons and any recourse that they may have under this Part.

• Marginal note:Retention of information

  (8) Despite clause 4.5 of Schedule 1, an organization that has personal information that is the subject of a request shall retain the information for as long as is necessary to allow the individual to exhaust any recourse under this Part that they may have.

Marginal note:When access prohibited

• 9 (1) Despite clause 4.9 of Schedule 1, an organization shall not give an individual access to personal information if doing so would likely reveal personal information about a third party. However, if the information about the third party is severable from the record containing the information about the individual, the organization shall sever the information about the third party before giving the individual access.

• Marginal note:Limit

  (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the third party consents to the access or the individual needs the information because an individual’s life, health or security is threatened.

• Marginal note:Information related to paragraphs 7(3)(c), (c.1) or (d)

  (2.1) An organization shall comply with subsection (2.2) if an individual requests that the organization

  • (a) inform the individual about

    • (i) any disclosure of information to a government institution or a part of a government institution under paragraph 7(3)(c), subparagraph 7(3)(c.1)(i) or (ii) or paragraph 7(3)(c.2) or (d), or

    • (ii) the existence of any information that the organization has relating to a disclosure referred to in subparagraph (i), to a subpoena, warrant or order referred to in paragraph 7(3)(c) or to a request made by a government institution or a part of a government institution under subparagraph 7(3)(c.1)(i) or (ii); or

  • (b) give the individual access to the information referred to in subparagraph (a)(ii).

• Marginal note:Notification and response

  (2.2) An organization to which subsection (2.1) applies

  • (a) shall, in writing and without delay, notify the institution or part concerned of the request made by the individual; and

  • (b) shall not respond to the request before the earlier of

    • (i) the day on which it is notified under subsection (2.3), and

    • (ii) thirty days after the day on which the institution or part was notified.

• Marginal note:Objection

  (2.3) Within thirty days after the day on which it is notified under subsection (2.2), the institution or part shall notify the organization whether or not the institution or part objects to the organization complying with the request. The institution or part may object only if the institution or part is of the opinion that compliance with the request could reasonably be expected to be injurious to

  • (a) national security, the defence of Canada or the conduct of international affairs;

  • (a.1) the detection, prevention or deterrence of money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities; or

  • (b) the enforcement of any law of Canada, a province or a foreign jurisdiction, an investigation relating to the enforcement of any such law or the gathering of intelligence for the purpose of enforcing any such law.

• Marginal note:Prohibition

  (2.4) Despite clause 4.9 of Schedule 1, if an organization is notified under subsection (2.3) that the institution or part objects to the organization complying with the request, the organization

  • (a) shall refuse the request to the extent that it relates to paragraph (2.1)(a) or to information referred to in subparagraph (2.1)(a)(ii);

  • (b) shall notify the Commissioner, in writing and without delay, of the refusal; and

  • (c) shall not disclose to the individual

    • (i) any information that the organization has relating to a disclosure to a government institution or a part of a government institution under paragraph 7(3)(c), subparagraph 7(3)(c.1)(i) or (ii) or paragraph 7(3)(c.2) or (d) or to a request made by a government institution under either of those subparagraphs,

    • (ii) that the organization notified an institution or part under paragraph (2.2)(a) or the Commissioner under paragraph (b), or

    • (iii) that the institution or part objects.

• Marginal note:When access may be refused

  (3) Despite the note that accompanies clause 4.9 of Schedule 1, an organization is not required to give access to personal information only if

  • (a) the information is protected by solicitor-client privilege or, in civil law, by the professional secrecy of lawyers and notaries;

  • (b) to do so would reveal confidential commercial information;

  • (c) to do so could reasonably be expected to threaten the life or security of another individual;

  • (c.1) the information was collected under paragraph 7(1)(b);

  • (d) the information was generated in the course of a formal dispute resolution process; or

  • (e) the information was created for the purpose of making a disclosure under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act or in the course of an investigation into a disclosure under that Act.

  However, in the circumstances described in paragraph (b) or (c), if giving access to the information would reveal confidential commercial information or could reasonably be expected to threaten the life or security of another individual, as the case may be, and that information is severable from the record containing any other information for which access is requested, the organization shall give the individual access after severing.

• Marginal note:Limit

  (4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the individual needs the information because an individual’s life, health or security is threatened.

• Marginal note:Notice

  (5) If an organization decides not to give access to personal information in the circumstances set out in paragraph (3)(c.1), the organization shall, in writing, so notify the Commissioner, and shall include in the notification any information that the Commissioner may specify.

Marginal note:Sensory disability

10 An organization shall give access to personal information in an alternative format to an individual with a sensory disability who has a right of access to personal information under this Part and who requests that it be transmitted in the alternative format if

• (a) a version of the information already exists in that format; or

• (b) its conversion into that format is reasonable and necessary in order for the individual to be able to exercise rights under this Part.

DIVISION 2Remedies

Filing of Complaints

Marginal note:Contravention

• 11 (1) An individual may file with the Commissioner a written complaint against an organization for contravening a provision of Division 1 or for not following a recommendation set out in Schedule 1.

• Marginal note:Commissioner may initiate complaint

  (2) If the Commissioner is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to investigate a matter under this Part, the Commissioner may initiate a complaint in respect of the matter.

• Marginal note:Time limit

  (3) A complaint that results from the refusal to grant a request under section 8 must be filed within six months, or any longer period that the Commissioner allows, after the refusal or after the expiry of the time limit for responding to the request, as the case may be.

• Marginal note:Notice

  (4) The Commissioner shall give notice of a complaint to the organization against which the complaint was made.

Investigations of Complaints

Marginal note:Examination of complaint by Commissioner

• 12 (1) The Commissioner shall conduct an investigation in respect of a complaint, unless the Commissioner is of the opinion that

  • (a) the complainant ought first to exhaust grievance or review procedures otherwise reasonably available;

  • (b) the complaint could more appropriately be dealt with, initially or completely, by means of a procedure provided for under the laws of Canada, other than this Part, or the laws of a province; or

  • (c) the complaint was not filed within a reasonable period after the day on which the subject matter of the complaint arose.

• Marginal note:Exception

  (2) Despite subsection (1), the Commissioner is not required to conduct an investigation in respect of an act alleged in a complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the act, if proved, would constitute a contravention of any of sections 6 to 9 of An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act or section 52.01 of the Competition Act or would constitute conduct that is reviewable under section 74.011 of that Act.

• Marginal note:Notification

  (3) The Commissioner shall notify the complainant and the organization that the Commissioner will not investigate the complaint or any act alleged in the complaint and give reasons.

• Marginal note:Compelling reasons

  (4) The Commissioner may reconsider a decision not to investigate under subsection (1), if the Commissioner is satisfied that the complainant has established that there are compelling reasons to investigate.

Marginal note:Powers of Commissioner

• 12.1 (1) In the conduct of an investigation of a complaint, the Commissioner may

  • (a) summon and enforce the appearance of persons before the Commissioner and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce any records and things that the Commissioner considers necessary to investigate the complaint, in the same manner and to the same extent as a superior court of record;

  • (b) administer oaths;

  • (c) receive and accept any evidence and other information, whether on oath, by affidavit or otherwise, that the Commissioner sees fit, whether or not it is or would be admissible in a court of law;

  • (d) at any reasonable time, enter any premises, other than a dwelling-house, occupied by an organization on satisfying any security requirements of the organization relating to the premises;

  • (e) converse in private with any person in any premises entered under paragraph (d) and otherwise carry out in those premises any inquiries that the Commissioner sees fit; and

  • (f) examine or obtain copies of or extracts from records found in any premises entered under paragraph (d) that contain any matter relevant to the investigation.

• Marginal note:Dispute resolution mechanisms

  (2) The Commissioner may attempt to resolve complaints by means of dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and conciliation.

• Marginal note:Delegation

  (3) The Commissioner may delegate any of the powers set out in subsection (1) or (2).

• Marginal note:Return of records

  (4) The Commissioner or the delegate shall return to a person or an organization any record or thing that they produced under this section within 10 days after they make a request to the Commissioner or the delegate, but nothing precludes the Commissioner or the delegate from again requiring that the record or thing be produced.

• Marginal note:Certificate of delegation

  (5) Any person to whom powers set out in subsection (1) are delegated shall be given a certificate of the delegation and the delegate shall produce the certificate, on request, to the person in charge of any premises to be entered under paragraph (1)(d).

Discontinuance of Investigation

Marginal note:Reasons

• 12.2 (1) The Commissioner may discontinue the investigation of a complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that

  • (a) there is insufficient evidence to pursue the investigation;

  • (b) the complaint is trivial, frivolous or vexatious or is made in bad faith;

  • (c) the organization has provided a fair and reasonable response to the complaint;

  • (c.1) the matter is the object of a compliance agreement entered into under subsection 17.1(1);

  • (d) the matter is already the object of an ongoing investigation under this Part;

  • (e) the matter has already been the subject of a report by the Commissioner;

  • (f) any of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph 12(1)(a), (b) or (c) apply; or

  • (g) the matter is being or has already been addressed under a procedure referred to in paragraph 12(1)(a) or (b).

• Marginal note:Other reason

  (2) The Commissioner may discontinue an investigation in respect of an act alleged in a complaint if the Commissioner is of the opinion that the act, if proved, would constitute a contravention of any of sections 6 to 9 of An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act or section 52.01 of the Competition Act or would constitute conduct that is reviewable under section 74.011 of that Act.

• Marginal note:Notification

  (3) The Commissioner shall notify the complainant and the organization that the investigation has been discontinued and give reasons.

Commissioner’s Report

Marginal note:Contents

• 13 (1) The Commissioner shall, within one year after the day on which a complaint is filed or is initiated by the Commissioner, prepare a report that contains

  • (a) the Commissioner’s findings and recommendations;

  • (b) any settlement that was reached by the parties;

  • (c) if appropriate, a request that the organization give the Commissioner, within a specified time, notice of any action taken or proposed to be taken to implement the recommendations contained in the report or reasons why no such action has been or is proposed to be taken; and

  • (d) the recourse, if any, that is available under section 14.

• (2) [Repealed, 2010, c. 23, s. 84]

• Marginal note:Report to parties

  (3) The report shall be sent to the complainant and the organization without delay.

Hearing by Court

Marginal note:Application

• 14 (1) A complainant may, after receiving the Commissioner’s report or being notified under subsection 12.2(3) that the investigation of the complaint has been discontinued, apply to the Court for a hearing in respect of any matter in respect of which the complaint was made, or that is referred to in the Commissioner’s report, and that is referred to in clause 4.1.3, 4.2, 4.3.3, 4.4, 4.6, 4.7 or 4.8 of Schedule 1, in clause 4.3, 4.5 or 4.9 of that Schedule as modified or clarified by Division 1 or 1.1, in subsection 5(3) or 8(6) or (7), in section 10 or in Division 1.1.

• Marginal note:Time for application

  (2) A complainant shall make an application within one year after the report or notification is sent or within any longer period that the Court may, either before or after the expiry of that year, allow.

• Marginal note:For greater certainty

  (3) For greater certainty, subsections (1) and (2) apply in the same manner to complaints referred to in subsection 11(2) as to complaints referred to in subsection 11(1).

Marginal note:Commissioner may apply or appear

15 The Commissioner may, in respect of a complaint that the Commissioner did not initiate,

• (a) apply to the Court, within the time limited by section 14, for a hearing in respect of any matter described in that section, if the Commissioner has the consent of the complainant;

• (b) appear before the Court on behalf of any complainant who has applied for a hearing under section 14; or

• (c) with leave of the Court, appear as a party to any hearing applied for under section 14.

Marginal note:Remedies

16 The Court may, in addition to any other remedies it may give,

• (a) order an organization to correct its practices in order to comply with sections 5 to 10;

• (b) order an organization to publish a notice of any action taken or proposed to be taken to correct its practices, whether or not ordered to correct them under paragraph (a); and

• (c) award damages to the complainant, including damages for any humiliation that the complainant has suffered.

Marginal note:Summary hearings

• 17 (1) An application made under section 14 or 15 shall be heard and determined without delay and in a summary way unless the Court considers it inappropriate to do so.

• Marginal note:Precautions

  (2) In any proceedings arising from an application made under section 14 or 15, the Court shall take every reasonable precaution, including, when appropriate, receiving representations ex parte and conducting hearings in camera, to avoid the disclosure by the Court or any person of any information or other material that the organization would be authorized to refuse to disclose if it were requested under clause 4.9 of Schedule 1.

Compliance Agreements

Marginal note:Compliance agreement

• 17.1 (1) If the Commissioner believes on reasonable grounds that an organization has committed, is about to commit or is likely to commit an act or omission that could constitute a contravention of a provision of Division 1 or 1.1 or a failure to follow a recommendation set out in Schedule 1, the Commissioner may enter into a compliance agreement, aimed at ensuring compliance with this Part, with that organization.

• Marginal note:Terms

  (2) A compliance agreement may contain any terms that the Commissioner considers necessary to ensure compliance with this Part.

• Marginal note:Effect of compliance agreement — no application

  (3) When a compliance agreement is entered into, the Commissioner, in respect of any matter covered under the agreement,

  • (a) shall not apply to the Court for a hearing under subsection 14(1) or paragraph 15(a); and

  • (b) shall apply to the court for the suspension of any pending applications that were made by the Commissioner under those provisions.

• Marginal note:For greater certainty

  (4) For greater certainty, a compliance agreement does not preclude

  • (a) an individual from applying for a hearing under section 14; or

  • (b) the prosecution of an offence under the Act.

Marginal note:Agreement complied with

• 17.2 (1) If the Commissioner is of the opinion that a compliance agreement has been complied with, the Commissioner shall provide written notice to that effect to the organization and withdraw any applications that were made under subsection 14(1) or paragraph 15(a) in respect of any matter covered under the agreement.

• Marginal note:Agreement not complied with

  (2) If the Commissioner is of the opinion that an organization is not complying with the terms of a compliance agreement, the Commissioner shall notify the organization and may apply to the Court for

  • (a) an order requiring the organization to comply with the terms of the agreement, in addition to any other remedies it may give; or

  • (b) a hearing under subsection 14(1) or paragraph 15(a) or to reinstate proceedings that have been suspended as a result of an application made under paragraph 17.1(3)(b).

• Marginal note:Time for application

  (3) Despite subsection 14(2), the application shall be made within one year after notification is sent or within any longer period that the Court may, either before or after the expiry of that year, allow.

DIVISION 3Audits

Marginal note:To ensure compliance

• 18 (1) The Commissioner may, on reasonable notice and at any reasonable time, audit the personal information management practices of an organization if the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that the organization has contravened a provision of Division 1 or 1.1 or is not following a recommendation set out in Schedule 1, and for that purpose may

  • (a) summon and enforce the appearance of persons before the Commissioner and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce any records and things that the Commissioner considers necessary for the audit, in the same manner and to the same extent as a superior court of record;

  • (b) administer oaths;

  • (c) receive and accept any evidence and other information, whether on oath, by affidavit or otherwise, that the Commissioner sees fit, whether or not it is or would be admissible in a court of law;

  • (d) at any reasonable time, enter any premises, other than a dwelling-house, occupied by the organization on satisfying any security requirements of the organization relating to the premises;

  • (e) converse in private with any person in any premises entered under paragraph (d) and otherwise carry out in those premises any inquiries that the Commissioner sees fit; and

  • (f) examine or obtain copies of or extracts from records found in any premises entered under paragraph (d) that contain any matter relevant to the audit.

• Marginal note:Delegation

  (2) The Commissioner may delegate any of the powers set out in subsection (1).

• Marginal note:Return of records

  (3) The Commissioner or the delegate shall return to a person or an organization any record or thing they produced under this section within ten days after they make a request to the Commissioner or the delegate, but nothing precludes the Commissioner or the delegate from again requiring that the record or thing be produced.

• Marginal note:Certificate of delegation

  (4) Any person to whom powers set out in subsection (1) are delegated shall be given a certificate of the delegation and the delegate shall produce the certificate, on request, to the person in charge of any premises to be entered under paragraph (1)(d).

Marginal note:Report of findings and recommendations

• 19 (1) After an audit, the Commissioner shall provide the audited organization with a report that contains the findings of the audit and any recommendations that the Commissioner considers appropriate.

• Marginal note:Reports may be included in annual reports

  (2) The report may be included in a report made under section 25.

DIVISION 4General

Marginal note:Confidentiality

• 20 (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (6), 12(3), 12.2(3), 13(3), 19(1), 23(3) and 23.1(1) and section 25, the Commissioner or any person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner shall not disclose any information that comes to their knowledge as a result of the performance or exercise of any of the Commissioner’s duties or powers under this Part.

• Marginal note:Public interest

  (2) The Commissioner may, if the Commissioner considers that it is in the public interest to do so, make public any information that comes to his or her knowledge in the performance or exercise of any of his or her duties or powers under this Part.

• Marginal note:Disclosure of necessary information

  (3) The Commissioner may disclose, or may authorize any person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner to disclose, information that in the Commissioner’s opinion is necessary to

  • (a) conduct an investigation or audit under this Part; or

  • (b) establish the grounds for findings and recommendations contained in any report under this Part.

• Marginal note:Disclosure in the course of proceedings

  (4) The Commissioner may disclose, or may authorize any person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner to disclose, information in the course of

  • (a) a prosecution for an offence under section 28;

  • (b) a prosecution for an offence under section 132 of the Criminal Code (perjury) in respect of a statement made under this Part;

  • (c) a hearing before the Court under this Part;

  • (d) an appeal from a decision of the Court; or

  • (e) a judicial review in relation to the performance or exercise of any of the Commissioner’s duties or powers under this Part.

• Marginal note:Disclosure of offence authorized

  (5) The Commissioner may disclose to the Attorney General of Canada or of a province, as the case may be, information relating to the commission of an offence against any law of Canada or a province on the part of an officer or employee of an organization if, in the Commissioner’s opinion, there is evidence of an offence.

• Marginal note:Disclosure

  (6) The Commissioner may disclose information, or may authorize any person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner to disclose information, in the course of proceedings in which the Commissioner has intervened under paragraph 50(c) of An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act or in accordance with subsection 58(3) or 60(1) of that Act.

Marginal note:Not competent witness

21 The Commissioner or person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner is not a competent witness in respect of any matter that comes to their knowledge as a result of the performance or exercise of any of the Commissioner’s duties or powers under this Part in any proceeding other than

• (a) a prosecution for an offence under section 28;

• (b) a prosecution for an offence under section 132 of the Criminal Code (perjury) in respect of a statement made under this Part;

• (c) a hearing before the Court under this Part; or

• (d) an appeal from a decision of the Court.

Marginal note:Protection of Commissioner

• 22 (1) No criminal or civil proceedings lie against the Commissioner, or against any person acting on behalf or under the direction of the Commissioner, for anything done, reported or said in good faith as a result of the performance or exercise or purported performance or exercise of any duty or power of the Commissioner under this Part.

• Marginal note:Defamation

  (2) No action lies in defamation with respect to

  • (a) anything said, any information supplied or any record or thing produced in good faith in the course of an investigation or audit carried out by or on behalf of the Commissioner under this Part; and

  • (b) any report made in good faith by the Commissioner under this Part and any fair and accurate account of the report made in good faith for the purpose of news reporting.

Marginal note:Consultations with provinces

• 23 (1) If the Commissioner considers it appropriate to do so, or on the request of an interested person, the Commissioner may, in order to ensure that personal information is protected in as consistent a manner as possible, consult with any person who, under provincial legislation, has functions and duties similar to those of the Commissioner with respect to the protection of such information.

• Marginal note:Agreements or arrangements with provinces

  (2) The Commissioner may enter into agreements or arrangements with any person referred to in subsection (1) in order to

  • (a) coordinate the activities of their offices and the office of the Commissioner, including to provide for mechanisms for the handling of any complaint in which they are mutually interested;

  • (b) undertake and publish research or develop and publish guidelines or other instruments related to the protection of personal information;

  • (c) develop model contracts or other instruments for the protection of personal information that is collected, used or disclosed interprovincially or internationally; and

  • (d) develop procedures for sharing information referred to in subsection (3).

• Marginal note:Sharing of information with provinces

  (3) The Commissioner may, in accordance with any procedure established under paragraph (2)(d), share information with any person referred to in subsection (1), if the information

  • (a) could be relevant to an ongoing or potential investigation of a complaint or audit under this Part or provincial legislation that has objectives that are similar to this Part; or

  • (b) could assist the Commissioner or that person in the exercise of their functions and duties with respect to the protection of personal information.

• Marginal note:Purpose and confidentiality

  (4) The procedures referred to in paragraph (2)(d) shall

  • (a) restrict the use of the information to the purpose for which it was originally shared; and

  • (b) stipulate that the information be treated in a confidential manner and not be further disclosed without the express consent of the Commissioner.

Marginal note:Disclosure of information to foreign state

• 23.1 (1) Subject to subsection (3), the Commissioner may, in accordance with any procedure established under paragraph (4)(b), disclose information referred to in subsection (2) that has come to the Commissioner’s knowledge as a result of the performance or exercise of any of the Commissioner’s duties or powers under this Part to any person or body who, under the legislation of a foreign state, has

  • (a) functions and duties similar to those of the Commissioner with respect to the protection of personal information; or

  • (b) responsibilities that relate to conduct that is substantially similar to conduct that would be in contravention of this Part.

• Marginal note:Information that can be shared

  (2) The information that the Commissioner is authorized to disclose under subsection (1) is information that the Commissioner believes

  • (a) would be relevant to an ongoing or potential investigation or proceeding in respect of a contravention of the laws of a foreign state that address conduct that is substantially similar to conduct that would be in contravention of this Part; or

  • (b) is necessary to disclose in order to obtain from the person or body information that may be useful to an ongoing or potential investigation or audit under this Part.

• Marginal note:Written arrangements

  (3) The Commissioner may only disclose information to the person or body referred to in subsection (1) if the Commissioner has entered into a written arrangement with that person or body that

  • (a) limits the information to be disclosed to that which is necessary for the purpose set out in paragraph (2)(a) or (b);

  • (b) restricts the use of the information to the purpose for which it was originally shared; and

  • (c) stipulates that the information be treated in a confidential manner and not be further disclosed without the express consent of the Commissioner.

• Marginal note:Arrangements

  (4) The Commissioner may enter into arrangements with one or more persons or bodies referred to in subsection (1) in order to

  • (a) provide for cooperation with respect to the enforcement of laws protecting personal information, including the sharing of information referred to in subsection (2) and the provision of mechanisms for the handling of any complaint in which they are mutually interested;

  • (b) establish procedures for sharing information referred to in subsection (2);

  • (c) develop recommendations, resolutions, rules, standards or other instruments with respect to the protection of personal information;

  • (d) undertake and publish research related to the protection of personal information;

  • (e) share knowledge and expertise by different means, including through staff exchanges; or

  • (f) identify issues of mutual interest and determine priorities pertaining to the protection of personal information.

Marginal note:Promoting the purposes of the Part

24 The Commissioner shall

• (a) develop and conduct information programs to foster public understanding, and recognition of the purposes, of this Part;

• (b) undertake and publish research that is related to the protection of personal information, including any such research that is requested by the Minister of Industry;

• (c) encourage organizations to develop detailed policies and practices, including organizational codes of practice, to comply with sections 5 to 10; and

• (d) promote, by any means that the Commissioner considers appropriate, the purposes of this Part.

Marginal note:Annual report

• 25 (1) The Commissioner shall, within three months after the end of each financial year, submit to Parliament a report concerning the application of this Part, the extent to which the provinces have enacted legislation that is substantially similar to this Part and the application of any such legislation.

• Marginal note:Consultation

  (2) Before preparing the report, the Commissioner shall consult with those persons in the provinces who, in the Commissioner’s opinion, are in a position to assist the Commissioner in making a report respecting personal information that is collected, used or disclosed interprovincially or internationally.

Marginal note:Regulations

• 26 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Part, including regulations

  • (a) specifying, by name or by class, what is a government institution or part of a government institution for the purposes of any provision of this Part;

  • (a.01) [Repealed, 2015, c. 32, s. 21]

  • (a.1) specifying information or classes of information for the purpose of paragraph 7(1)(d), (2)(c.1) or (3)(h.1);

  • (b) specifying information to be kept and maintained under subsection 10.3(1); and

  • (c) prescribing anything that by this Part is to be prescribed.

• Marginal note:Orders

  (2) The Governor in Council may, by order,

  • (a) provide that this Part is binding on any agent of Her Majesty in right of Canada to which the Privacy Act does not apply;

  • (b) if satisfied that legislation of a province that is substantially similar to this Part applies to an organization, a class of organizations, an activity or a class of activities, exempt the organization, activity or class from the application of this Part in respect of the collection, use or disclosure of personal information that occurs within that province; and

  • (c) amend Schedule 4.

Marginal note:Whistleblowing

• 27 (1) Any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has contravened or intends to contravene a provision of Division 1, may notify the Commissioner of the particulars of the matter and may request that their identity be kept confidential with respect to the notification.

• Marginal note:Confidentiality

  (2) The Commissioner shall keep confidential the identity of a person who has notified the Commissioner under subsection (1) and to whom an assurance of confidentiality has been provided by the Commissioner.

Marginal note:Prohibition

• 27.1 (1) No employer shall dismiss, suspend, demote, discipline, harass or otherwise disadvantage an employee, or deny an employee a benefit of employment, by reason that

  • (a) the employee, acting in good faith and on the basis of reasonable belief, has disclosed to the Commissioner that the employer or any other person has contravened or intends to contravene a provision of Division 1;

  • (b) the employee, acting in good faith and on the basis of reasonable belief, has refused or stated an intention of refusing to do anything that is a contravention of a provision of Division 1;

  • (c) the employee, acting in good faith and on the basis of reasonable belief, has done or stated an intention of doing anything that is required to be done in order that a provision of Division 1 not be contravened; or

  • (d) the employer believes that the employee will do anything referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

• Marginal note:Saving

  (2) Nothing in this section impairs any right of an employee either at law or under an employment contract or collective agreement.

• Marginal note:Definitions

  (3) In this section, employee includes an independent contractor and employer has a corresponding meaning.

Marginal note:Offence and punishment

28 Every person who knowingly contravenes subsection 8(8) or 27.1(1) or who obstructs the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s delegate in the investigation of a complaint or in conducting an audit is guilty of

• (a) an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000; or

• (b) an indictable offence and liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000.

Marginal note:Review of Part by parliamentary committee

• Footnote ^*29 (1) The administration of this Part shall, every five years after this Part comes into force, be reviewed by the committee of the House of Commons, or of both Houses of Parliament, that may be designated or established by Parliament for that purpose.

  • Return to footnote ^*[Note: Part 1 in force January 1, 2001, see SI/2000-29.]

• Marginal note:Review and report

  (2) The committee shall undertake a review of the provisions and operation of this Part and shall, within a year after the review is undertaken or within any further period that the House of Commons may authorize, submit a report to Parliament that includes a statement of any changes to this Part or its administration that the committee recommends.

DIVISION 5Transitional Provisions

Marginal note:Application

• 30 (1) This Part does not apply to any organization in respect of personal information that it collects, uses or discloses within a province whose legislature has the power to regulate the collection, use or disclosure of the information, unless the organization does it in connection with the operation of a federal work, undertaking or business or the organization discloses the information outside the province for consideration.

• Marginal note:Application

  (1.1) This Part does not apply to any organization in respect of personal health information that it collects, uses or discloses.

• Marginal note:Expiry date

  Footnote ^*(2) Subsection (1) ceases to have effect three years after the day on which this section comes into force.

  • Return to footnote ^*[Note: Section 30 in force January 1, 2001, see SI/2000-29.]

• Marginal note:Expiry date

  Footnote ^*(2.1) Subsection (1.1) ceases to have effect one year after the day on which this section comes into force.

  • Return to footnote ^*[Note: Section 30 in force January 1, 2001, see SI/2000-29.]

PART 2Electronic Documents

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

• 31 (1) The definitions in this subsection apply in this Part.

  data

  data means representations of information or concepts, in any form. (données)

  electronic document

  electronic document means data that is recorded or stored on any medium in or by a computer system or other similar device and that can be read or perceived by a person or a computer system or other similar device. It includes a display, printout or other output of that data. (document électronique)

  electronic signature

  electronic signature means a signature that consists of one or more letters, characters, numbers or other symbols in digital form incorporated in, attached to or associated with an electronic document. (signature électronique)

  federal law

  federal law means an Act of Parliament or an instrument, regardless of its name, issued, made or established under an Act of Parliament or a prerogative of the Crown, other than an instrument issued, made or established under the Yukon Act, the Northwest Territories Act or the Nunavut Act. (texte législatif)

  responsible authority

  responsible authority, in respect of a provision of a federal law, means

  • (a) if the federal law is an Act of Parliament, the minister responsible for that provision;

  • (b) if the federal law is an instrument issued, made or established under an Act of Parliament or a prerogative of the Crown, the person or body who issued, made or established the instrument; or

  • (c) despite paragraph (a) or (b), the person or body designated by the Governor in Council under subsection (2). (autorité responsable)

  secure electronic signature

  secure electronic signature means an electronic signature that results from the application of a technology or process prescribed by regulations made under subsection 48(1). (signature électronique sécurisée)

• Marginal note:Designation

  (2) The Governor in Council may, by order, for the purposes of this Part, designate any person, including any member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, or body to be the responsible authority in respect of a provision of a federal law if the Governor in Council is of the opinion that it is appropriate to do so in the circumstances.

Purpose

Marginal note:Purpose

32 The purpose of this Part is to provide for the use of electronic alternatives in the manner provided for in this Part where federal laws contemplate the use of paper to record or communicate information or transactions.

Electronic Alternatives

Marginal note:Collection, storage, etc.

33 A minister of the Crown and any department, branch, office, board, agency, commission, corporation or body for the administration of affairs of which a minister of the Crown is accountable to the Parliament of Canada may use electronic means to create, collect, receive, store, transfer, distribute, publish or otherwise deal with documents or information whenever a federal law does not specify the manner of doing so.

Marginal note:Electronic payment

34 A payment that is required to be made to the Government of Canada may be made in electronic form in any manner specified by the Receiver General.

Marginal note:Electronic version of statutory form

• 35 (1) If a provision of an Act of Parliament establishes a form, the responsible authority in respect of that provision may make regulations respecting an electronic form that is substantially the same as the form established in the provision, and the electronic form may be used for the same purposes as the form established in the provision.

• Marginal note:Statutory manner of filing documents

  (2) If a non-electronic manner of filing a document is set out in a provision of an Act of Parliament, the responsible authority in respect of that provision may make regulations respecting the filing of an electronic version of the document, and an electronic version of the document filed in accordance with those regulations is to be considered as a document filed in accordance with the provision.

• Marginal note:Statutory manner of submitting information

  (3) If a non-electronic manner of submitting information is set out in a provision of an Act of Parliament, the responsible authority in respect of that provision may make regulations respecting the manner of submitting the information using electronic means, and information submitted in accordance with those regulations is to be considered as information submitted in accordance with the provision.

• Marginal note:Authority to prescribe form, etc.

  (4) The authority under a federal law to issue, prescribe or in any other manner establish a form, or to establish the manner of filing a document or submitting information, includes the authority to issue, prescribe or establish an electronic form, or to establish an electronic manner of filing the document or submitting information, as the case may be.

• Meaning of filing

  (5) In this section, filing includes all manner of submitting, regardless of how it is designated.

Marginal note:Documents as evidence or proof

36 A provision of a federal law that provides that a certificate or other document signed by a minister or public officer is proof of any matter or thing, or is admissible in evidence, is, subject to the federal law, satisfied by an electronic version of the certificate or other document if the electronic version is signed by the minister or public officer with that person’s secure electronic signature.

Marginal note:Retention of documents

37 A requirement under a provision of a federal law to retain a document for a specified period is satisfied, with respect to an electronic document, by the retention of the electronic document if

• (a) the electronic document is retained for the specified period in the format in which it was made, sent or received, or in a format that does not change the information contained in the electronic document that was originally made, sent or received;

• (b) the information in the electronic document will be readable or perceivable by any person who is entitled to have access to the electronic document or who is authorized to require the production of the electronic document; and

• (c) if the electronic document was sent or received, any information that identifies the origin and destination of the electronic document and the date and time when it was sent or received is also retained.

Marginal note:Notarial act

38 A reference in a provision of a federal law to a document recognized as a notarial act in the province of Quebec is deemed to include an electronic version of the document if

• (a) the electronic version of the document is recognized as a notarial act under the laws of the province of Quebec; and

• (b) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3.

Marginal note:Seals

39 A requirement under a provision of a federal law for a person’s seal is satisfied by a secure electronic signature that identifies the secure electronic signature as the person’s seal if the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3.

Marginal note:Requirements to provide documents or information

40 A provision of a federal law requiring a person to provide another person with a document or information, other than a provision referred to in any of sections 41 to 47, is satisfied by the provision of the document or information in electronic form if

• (a) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3;

• (b) both persons have agreed to the document or information being provided in electronic form; and

• (c) the document or information in electronic form will be under the control of the person to whom it is provided and will be readable or perceivable so as to be usable for subsequent reference.

Marginal note:Writing requirements

41 A requirement under a provision of a federal law for a document to be in writing is satisfied by an electronic document if

• (a) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3; and

• (b) the regulations respecting the application of this section to the provision have been complied with.

Marginal note:Original documents

42 A requirement under a provision of a federal law for a document to be in its original form is satisfied by an electronic document if

• (a) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3;

• (b) the electronic document contains a secure electronic signature that was added when the electronic document was first generated in its final form and that can be used to verify that the electronic document has not been changed since that time; and

• (c) the regulations respecting the application of this section to the provision have been complied with.

Marginal note:Signatures

43 Subject to sections 44 to 46, a requirement under a provision of a federal law for a signature is satisfied by an electronic signature if

• (a) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3; and

• (b) the regulations respecting the application of this section to the provision have been complied with.

Marginal note:Statements made under oath

44 A statement required to be made under oath or solemn affirmation under a provision of a federal law may be made in electronic form if

• (a) the person who makes the statement signs it with that person’s secure electronic signature;

• (b) the person before whom the statement was made, and who is authorized to take statements under oath or solemn affirmation, signs it with that person’s secure electronic signature;

• (c) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3; and

• (d) the regulations respecting the application of this section to the provision have been complied with.

Marginal note:Statements declaring truth, etc.

45 A statement required to be made under a provision of a federal law declaring or certifying that any information given by a person making the statement is true, accurate or complete may be made in electronic form if

• (a) the person signs it with that person’s secure electronic signature;

• (b) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3; and

• (c) the regulations respecting the application of this section to the provision have been complied with.

Marginal note:Witnessed signatures

46 A requirement under a provision of a federal law for a signature to be witnessed is satisfied with respect to an electronic document if

• (a) each signatory and each witness signs the electronic document with their secure electronic signature;

• (b) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3; and

• (c) the regulations respecting the application of this section to the provision have been complied with.

Marginal note:Copies

47 A requirement under a provision of a federal law for one or more copies of a document to be submitted is satisfied by the submission of an electronic document if

• (a) the federal law or the provision is listed in Schedule 2 or 3; and

• (b) the regulations respecting the application of this section to the provision have been complied with.

Regulations and Orders

Marginal note:Regulations

• 48 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Treasury Board, make regulations prescribing technologies or processes for the purpose of the definition secure electronic signature in subsection 31(1).

• Marginal note:Characteristics

  (2) The Governor in Council may prescribe a technology or process only if the Governor in Council is satisfied that it can be proved that

  • (a) the electronic signature resulting from the use by a person of the technology or process is unique to the person;

  • (b) the use of the technology or process by a person to incorporate, attach or associate the person’s electronic signature to an electronic document is under the sole control of the person;

  • (c) the technology or process can be used to identify the person using the technology or process; and

  • (d) the electronic signature can be linked with an electronic document in such a way that it can be used to determine whether the electronic document has been changed since the electronic signature was incorporated in, attached to or associated with the electronic document.

• Marginal note:Effect of amendment or repeal

  (3) An amendment to or repeal of any provision of a regulation made under subsection (1) that has the effect of removing a prescribed technology or process from the regulation does not, by itself, affect the validity of any electronic signature resulting from the use of that technology or process while it was prescribed.

Marginal note:Amendment of schedules

49 For the purposes of sections 38 to 47, the responsible authority in respect of a provision of a federal law may, by order, amend Schedule 2 or 3 by adding or striking out a reference to that federal law or provision.

Marginal note:Regulations

• 50 (1) For the purposes of sections 41 to 47, the responsible authority in respect of a provision of a federal law may make regulations respecting the application of those sections to the provision.

• Marginal note:Contents

  (2) Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations that may be made may include rules respecting any of the following:

  • (a) the technology or process that must be used to make or send an electronic document;

  • (b) the format of an electronic document;

  • (c) the place where an electronic document is to be made or sent;

  • (d) the time and circumstances when an electronic document is to be considered to be sent or received and the place where it is considered to have been sent or received;

  • (e) the technology or process to be used to make or verify an electronic signature and the manner in which it is to be used; and

  • (f) any matter necessary for the purposes of the application of sections 41 to 47.

• Marginal note:Minimum rules

  (3) Without restricting the generality of subsection (1), if a provision referred to in any of sections 41 to 47 requires a person to provide another person with a document or information, the rules set out in the regulations respecting the application of that section to the provision may be that

  • (a) both persons have agreed to the document or information being provided in electronic form; and

  • (b) the document or information in electronic form will be under the control of the person to whom it is provided and will be readable or perceivable so as to be usable for subsequent reference.

• Marginal note:Incorporation by reference

  (4) Regulations may incorporate by reference the standards or specifications of any government, person or organization, either as they read at a fixed time or as they are amended from time to time.

Marginal note:Effect of striking out listed provision

51 The striking out of a reference to a federal law or provision in Schedule 2 or 3 does not affect the validity of anything done in compliance with any regulation made under section 50 that relates to that federal law or provision while it was listed in that Schedule.

PART 3Amendments to the Canada Evidence Act

52 to 57 [Amendments]

PART 4Amendments to the Statutory Instruments Act

58 and 59 [Amendments]

PART 5Amendments to the Statute Revision Act

60 to 71 [Amendments]

PART 6Coming into Force

Marginal note:Coming into force

Footnote ^*72 Parts 1 to 5 or any provision of those Parts come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council made on the recommendation of

• (a) in the case of Parts 1 and 2 or any provision of those Parts, the Minister of Industry; and

• (b) in the case of Parts 3 to 5 or any provision of those Parts, the Minister of Justice.

  • Return to footnote ^*[Note: Parts 2, 3 and 4 in force May 1, 2000; Part 1 in force January 1, 2001, see SI/2000-29; Part 5 in force June 1, 2009, see SI/2009-42.]