Moving Toward New Access and Privacy Rights for Children, Youth and Families

Today, the Child, Youth and Family Services Act became law in Ontario.

The proclamation of the act is another important step on the journey toward establishing an access and privacy framework for the child, youth and family services sector. Part X of the new law, which governs personal information, will come into force on January 1, 2020.

I am tremendously pleased that this legislation will usher in a new era of accountability and transparency. Once Part X is in force, children, youth, and their families will finally have the right to access and request correction of their personal information held by children’s aid societies, group homes and other service providers. They will also have increased control over how their personal information is shared.

These are fundamental rights that the IPC has been calling on the Ontario government to establish in law since 2004. Overseeing this new framework significantly expands the IPC’s mandate, while creating new obligations and responsibilities for service providers. It is important work and we want to ensure the transition is a smooth one.

In the coming months, the IPC will continue our work with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and ramp up our outreach to stakeholder organizations and the public. We want to ensure we are all on the same page as we begin a new chapter in privacy and access rights for children, youth and families in Ontario.

Look for Part X updates on our website and social media channels or subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest information delivered to your inbox.

Brian Beamish
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario