Information for individuals
Learn about your access and privacy rights. Find help with your request for records. File an appeal or report a concern.
Find more information about accessing your information, protecting your privacy, and your health privacy rights in Ontario.
Accessing your information
Your access to information rights
Public institutions collect information about us so that they can do their jobs properly. Ontario’s access and privacy laws protect your rights to request access to that information, and to request a correction if you think you've found a mistake. These laws apply to provincial and municipal government organizations, children's aid societies, and other child and family service providers.
How the IPC can help
If you believe that your access to information rights have been denied, or you disagree with how a public institution has responded to your request, you can file an appeal with the IPC. An appeal is a way for you to ask our office to review a government institution’s response to a freedom of information request.
Protecting your privacy
Your privacy rights
Privacy is a fundamental right of every Ontarian. In order to protect that right, Ontario public institutions are required by law to protect your personal information, and to follow strict rules when collecting, using and disclosing your personal information. These rules are all set out in Ontario's provincial Acts.
How the IPC can help
The IPC’s role is to ensure that Ontario public institutions and health information custodians are following provincial privacy laws and principles. If you believe that your privacy has been violated, you can file a complaint with our office, and we can help you resolve the issue. The IPC also investigates and researches issues related to privacy to help inform government policy.
Your health privacy rights
Your health privacy rights
Your health care providers need to collect some information about you in order to provide care. But they also need to follow the law to make sure your personal health information is protected. The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) sets strict rules that must be followed by health information custodians (any person or organization that has control of your personal health information).
How the IPC can help
If you feel that your personal health information has been improperly collected, used and disclosed, or if you have concerns about a health information custodian’s information management practices, you can file a privacy complaint with our office.