Guidance documents for organizations

On September 11, 2023, the IPC provided a submission to the Ministry of the Solicitor General as part of the Five-Year Review of the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015. The submission includes eight recommendations on how the police record check regime can be improved to better balance the Ministry’s dual aims of protecting public safety, while also protecting Ontarians’ privacy and other fundamental human rights.

Document Updated: A change to PHIPA Practice Direction #3 took effect on October 10, 2023. Learn more

As of October 10, 2023, the IPC may publish PHIPA decisions at any stage of dispute resolution, including early resolution, investigation, and adjudication. This includes publishing the name of the respondent and affected person(s), unless doing so would identify the complainant or any person whose personal health information is at issue.

The IPC provided comments to the Ministry of the Solicitor General regarding the regulatory proposals under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) following the ministry’s request for public input. In these comments, the IPC offers high-level comments on three proposals that relate to the IPC’s mandate.

This interpretation bulletin addresses the requirement for institutions to conduct a reasonable search for records upon receipt of an access request made under section 24(1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and section 17(1) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

This interpretation bulletin outlines factors for determining whether an access to information request is frivolous or vexatious, as set out in section 10(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and section 4(1)(b) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). This interpretation bulletin explains the grounds for a frivolous or vexatious claim, and offers key considerations for whether an access request meets the threshold to be considered frivolous or vexatious.

IPC response to Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles’ concerns about government record keeping practices outlined in Greenbelt report

The IPC provided comments and recommendations to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services with respect to the summary of proposed regulatory changes to Ontario Regulation 155/18 and 156/18 posted on the Ontario Regulatory Registry on July 13, 2023. Within the submission, the IPC urges the Ministry to ensure that any amendments to expand collection, use or disclosure of sensitive personal information for the safety and well-being of children and youth are matched by a proportionate level of robust privacy protection.

Letter to the Ontario Ministry of Health describing the IPC’s support for both the maximum amounts for administrative penalties that the commissioner can order, as well as the criteria that the commissioner must consider when levying such penalties as part of order-making power under PHIPA.

This letter to Goldie Ghamari, Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, was intended to present the IPC’s privacy-related comments and recommended amendments to Schedule 2 of Bill 102, which, if passed, would expand the regulation-making authority under the Coroners Act, 1990.

This letter to Goldie Ghamari, Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, was intended to present the IPC’s privacy-related comments and recommendations on Schedule 1 of Bill 102, in relation to proposed amendments to the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA). The legislative amendments support bringing the CSPA into force.

This letter to Ernie Hardeman, Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, recommends the Committee to withdraw Schedules 4, 6 and 7 from Bill 79 to give the Ministry additional time to clarify significant ambiguities and address our privacy-related comments in a more holistic manner.