Privacy is about having the ability to control or influence the way in which information about you is collected, used and disclosed. Information privacy may also be described as “informational self-determination.”

In Ontario, 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 help to protect personal information held by government and health care practitioners and organizations. These acts contain specific rules on how they may collect, use, retain, disclose and dispose of your personal information.

It is the responsibility of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to ensure that government and health care practitioners and organizations abide by these Acts.