Trust in Digital Health

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

Commissioner Kosseim sits down with Dr. Bartha Knoppers, Director of the Centre for Genomics and Policy at McGill University, to discuss the legal and ethical aspects of genetic research for the greater good.

This letter to Goldie Ghamari, Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Policy, was intended to present the IPC’s views on how amendments to Bill 60 can better enhance transparency and privacy protections of Ontarians’ information with respect to the Integrated Community Health Services Centres Act, 2023 proposed in Schedule 1, and on “As of Right” health care...

As Schedule 4 of Bill 106, the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022 (Schedule 4) would amend the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) by introducing new regulation-making powers, the IPC submitted recommendations to  Ernie Hardeman Chair of the Committee Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs to address each of these proposed...

This letter to Dr. Catherine Zahn, Deputy Minister of Health and Ms. Hillary Hartley, Chief Digital and Data Officer offered the IPC’s recommendations to help ensure ongoing protection of the privacy rights of Ontarians as the proof of vaccination certificate initiative continued in the province.

Our frequently asked questions on health cards and health numbers clarify who may collect, use or disclose health numbers for health care purposes, as well as the use of health cards as a proof of identity. Originally published November 2004.

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This publication replaces the guidance document, What to do When Faced With a Privacy Breach: Guidelines for the Health Sector.

This post is also available in: French

This post is also available in: French

This fact sheet describes the risks of using email and custodians’ obligations under the Personal Health Information Protection Act. It outlines some of the technical, physical and administrative safeguards needed to protect personal health information when communicating by email and the policies, procedures and training custodians should have in place.

Submission of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on Bill 119: The Health Information Protection Act, 2015.

This revised FAQ has a new look and feel and has been rewritten with cleaner, easy to understand, gender-neutral language. Also included are a few additions to the original publication:

This document was thoroughly reviewed and updated in August, 2015, introducing clear and easy to understand gender-neutral language.

Unauthorized access continues to be a growing problem in the health sector in Ontario. The province’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, (PHIPA), permits health information custodians (HIC) to collect, use and disclose personal health information for the purposes of providing or assisting in the provision of health care based on implied or assumed implied consent...