Latest Blog Posts
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Update to the Rules of Procedure
It has been some time since amendments were made to the Rules of Procedure. Some changes are outlined below which become effective January 7, 2025. First, The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) has some provisions on access to records. These affect the way we exercise our oversight responsibilities when records relate to young offenders. If... read more
Independent Schools Treated Like School Boards
Currently in our education system, we have 27 school boards. They are defined as local authorities under The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LA FOIP). Under LA FOIP, they are obligated to provide records to parents and citizens. Of course, there are exemptions which they can claim to justify withholding... read more
Solicitor-Client Privilege, Recent Court Decision
In the spring of 2024, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued a decision regarding the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario’s approach to solicitor-client privilege and litigation privilege in a case regarding a breach at LifeLabs. LifeLabs applied for leave to appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal, which was denied on November 22,... read more
Severing Email Records (updated)
My office released a blog in June of 2017 regarding the obligation under section 8 of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) and The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (LA FOIP) and section 38(2) of The Health Information Protection Act (HIPA) to release as much information... read more