All Guidance and Resources

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner publishes guidance documents to promote compliance with Ontario’s access and privacy laws. New materials are posted on an ongoing basis. If you are looking for a guidance on a topic that is not listed here, please contact us.

Showing 15 of 254 results

Title Topic Type Date
Disclosure of Personal Information to Law Enforcement Fact Sheets Download Read moreExpand
Responding to a Health Privacy Breach: Guidelines for the Health Sector Best Practices , Papers , Professional Guidelines Download Read moreExpand

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

This new, updated guide highlights the importance of having a detailed privacy breach protocol and explains the steps to take in responding to a breach under Ontario’s health privacy regulations. It includes advice on how to contain a breach, notify affected individuals and what information you should record for reporting breaches. The guide also describes when to report breaches to the IPC and regulatory colleges and gives some practical advice for minimizing the risk...

Access Fact Sheet: Third Party Information Exemption Fact Sheets Download Read moreExpand
Privacy Fact Sheet: General Data Protection Regulation Fact Sheets Download Read moreExpand
Fees, Fee Estimates and Fee Waivers Best Practices , Professional Guidelines Download Read moreExpand
Smart Cities and Your Privacy Rights Fact Sheets Download Read moreExpand
Joint Federal Provincial Territorial Letter to Minister of Infrastructure and Communities on Smart Cities Challenge Letters Download Read moreExpand
Disposing of Your Electronic Media Best Practices , Fact Sheets Download Read moreExpand

This fact sheet provides guidance on how Ontario public institutions and health information custodians can securely destroy personal information when disposing of electronic media.

Annual Reporting of Privacy Breach Statistics to the Commissioner - Requirements for the Health Sector Best Practices , Professional Guidelines Download Read moreExpand
Joint Federal Provincial Territorial Letter to Council of Ministers of Education on the Importance of Privacy Education Letters Download Read moreExpand
Big Data Guidelines Professional Guidelines Download Read moreExpand
Fact Sheet: Reasonable Search Fact Sheets , Professional Guidelines Download Read moreExpand

This fact sheet answers some frequently asked questions about reasonable searches for records.

Open Government and Protecting Privacy Download Read moreExpand

The IPC strongly supports Open Government initiatives and encourages Ontario institutions to be more open and transparent, and to enhance their engagement with the public. This document offers guidance for institutions on how to move towards increased government transparency without negatively affecting individuals’ privacy.

Code of Procedure for Matters under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 Best Practices , Professional Guidelines Download Read moreExpand

This Code of Procedure describes the processes the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) follows when it assesses matters under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, including complaints, Custodian-reported files and IPC-initiated files. 

PHIPA Practice Direction #5: Collection, Use, and Disclosure Complaint Form Best Practices , Practice Directions , Professional Guidelines Download Read moreExpand

This Practice Direction includes a form individual can use to file a complaint about a contravention, or a potential contravention of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, with the Information and Privacy Commissioner. 

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