Ontario Legislature Appoints Patricia Kosseim as Next Commissioner

I want to extend my congratulations to Patricia Kosseim on her appointment as the next Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. I know Patricia to be a committed professional who brings a wealth of experience as a regulator and privacy and access lawyer. I am confident she will carry out her role with skill and integrity.

I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of Ontario for the opportunity to serve as commissioner.

I’m proud of what the IPC accomplished during my term. Together, we made tremendous progress toward a more accountable public sector. Our work with our government partners established a solid framework from which to build a regulatory system that protects the privacy of Ontarians, even as new and often disruptive technologies continue to change the way our personal data is collected, used, and shared.

Ms. Kosseim will begin her term during a time of unprecedented social upheaval. Returning to a ‘new normal’ will be a significant challenge, but one I’m confident the IPC will rise to under Patricia’s leadership.

As I write this, people across the province – and around the world - are coping with the restrictions and fears that this health crisis has brought to our everyday lives. Until Patricia’s term begins on July 1, please be assured, my focus remains on keeping our staff, our families, and the public safe, and striving to provide some of the tribunal services on which Ontarians depend. Despite closing our physical doors to the public, the IPC is working. We continue to provide advice and consultation to the public and our public sector partners on all matters relating to access and privacy.

Brian