Who can provide consent for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information?

Individuals must be capable of consenting to a collection, use or disclosure of their information. Capable means they are able to understand:

• the information that is relevant to deciding whether to consent and
• the likely consequences of giving, withholding or withdrawing their consent

Child and family service providers can assume that an individual of any age is capable, unless they have reasonable grounds to believe otherwise.

Service providers are responsible for determining who is capable under Part X. However, people can challenge decisions of incapacity through Ontario’s Consent and Capacity Board.

Learn more about capacity