Advice and Submissions

IPC submission concerning Bill 194, the Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, focusing on enhancing cyber security, guardrails concerning AI system requirements, and privacy protections for children, youth, and the public sector. The submission provides recommendations concerning the levels of accountability, transparency, and oversight that are needed in a rapidly changing world.

The IPC made recommendations to the Standing Committee on Social Policy in relation to proposed amendments to the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. It is the IPC’s position that any changes related to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information must be transparent and matched by a proportionate level of robust privacy protection. 

The IPC opposes the repeal of Section 262 of the Community Safety and Policing Act proposed as part of Bill 157, the Enhancing Access to Justice Act. The public consultation requirements in Section 262 are crucial to maintaining transparency and accountability around the regulation-making process for critical policing matters.

Commissioner's speaking remarks. In this letter to Brian Riddell, Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Policy, the IPC makes recommendations in relation to proposed amendments to the Employment Standards Act that relate to the use of AI in the workplace. The letter also calls for the development of a comprehensive private sector privacy law for Ontario.

IPC comments to the board concerning its review of the Toronto Police Services’ artificial intelligence based, facial recognition mugshot database program.

In this letter to Brian Riddell, Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Policy, the IPC makes recommendations in relation to proposed amendments to the Connecting Care Act, 2019.

Letter to Ministry of Health on support for and approach to proposed administrative penalties under PHIPA, highlighting their importance in enforcing healthcare privacy and access rights.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The IPC provided comments and recommendations to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services as part of the 2023 5-Year Review of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017. The IPC’s comments and recommendations are consistent with previous submissions and focus on the goal of strengthening the access and privacy protections afforded to Ontarians under the CYFSA and its regulations.

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.