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.
Date: Oct 01 2021 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadThis 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: Questions on assumed implied consent and consent from children under 16. Questions regarding the relationship ...
Date: Nov 02 2015 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadThis document was thoroughly reviewed and updated in August, 2015, introducing clear and easy to understand gender-neutral language. Updated: August 2015
Date: Aug 16 2015 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadUnauthorized 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 assist...
Date: Jan 28 2015 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadSubmission of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on Bill 119: The Health Information Protection Act, 2015. Brian Beamish Commissioner March 3, 2016
Date: Mar 03 2016 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadThis 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 polici...
Date: Sep 15 2016 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Sep 17 2019 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Nov 10 2017 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Nov 20 2017 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadThis 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...
Date: Oct 04 2018 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Feb 26 2019 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Mar 29 2019 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Apr 15 2019 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Dec 03 2019 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Jun 22 2020 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Jul 06 2020 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Jul 24 2020 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Feb 25 2021 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: May 12 2021 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: May 14 2021 Type: Resource Access: Both
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Date: Jul 29 2021 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadThis 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 provinc...
Date: Mar 10 2022 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadAs 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 Com...
Date: Apr 11 2022 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadThis 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 Cent...
Date: Mar 28 2023 Type: Resource Access: Both
DownloadDocument Updated: A change to PHIPA Practice Direction #3 takes effect on October 10, 2023. Learn more The IPC’s current practice is to publish PHIPA decisions made during adjudication, including the name of the respondent and of affected person(s), unless doing so would reveal the identity of ...
Date: Sep 06 2023 Type: Resource Access: Both
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