The role of the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario (IPC) is set out in three statutes: the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (the Acts). The IPC acts independently of government to uphold and promote open government and the protection of personal privacy.

Under its statutory mandate, the IPC is responsible for:

• resolving appeals from refusals to provide access to information;
• investigating privacy complaints about information held by government organizations and health information custodians;
• ensuring that the government organizations and health information custodians comply with the provisions of the Acts;
• educating the public about Ontario's access and privacy laws; and
• conducting research on access and privacy issues, and providing advice and comment on proposed government legislation and programs.

The Ontario Legislature reappointed Dr. Ann Cavoukian for a second term as the province’s Information and Privacy Commissioner on May 4, 2004. (Communiqué). For the full text of the motion to reappoint, see Hansard - May 4, 2004.