Interpretation
2 - DefinitionsPurpose
3 - PurposeApplication
4 - Application4.01 - Business contact information4.1 - Certificate under Canada Evidence Act5 - Compliance with obligations6 - Effect of designation of individual6.1 - Valid consent7 - Collection without knowledge or consent7.1 - Definitions7.2 - Prospective business transaction7.3 - Employment relationship7.4 - Use without consent8 - Written request9 - When access prohibited10 - Sensory disability
Filing of Complaints
11 - ContraventionInvestigations of Complaints
12 - Examination of complaint by Commissioner12.1 - Powers of CommissionerDiscontinuance of Investigation
12.2 - ReasonsCommissioner's Report
13 - ContentsHearing by Court
14 - Application15 - Commissioner may apply or appear16 - Remedies17 - Summary hearingsCompliance Agreements
17.1 - Compliance Agreements17.2 - Agreement complied with20 - Confidentiality21 - Not competent witness22 - Protection of Commissioner23 - Consultations with provinces23.1 - Disclosure of information to foreign state24 - Promoting the purposes of the Part25 - Annual report26 - Regulations27 - Whistleblowing27.1 - Prohibition28 - Offence and punishment*29 - Review of Part by parliamentary committee
Interpretation
31 - DefinitionsPurpose
32 - PurposeElectronic Alternatives
33 - Collection, storage, etc.34 - Electronic payment35 - Electronic version of statutory form36 - Documents as evidence or proof37 - Retention of documents38 - Notarial act39 - Seals40 - Requirements to provide documents or information41 - Writing requirements42 - Original documents43 - Signatures44 - Statements made under oath45 - Statements declaring truth, etc.46 - Witnessed signatures47 - CopiesRegulations and Orders
48 - Regulations49 - Amendment of schedules50 - Regulations51 - Effect of striking out listed provision52 to 57 - [Amendments]
58 and 59 - [Amendments]
60 to 71 - [Amendments]
4.1 - Principle 1: Accountability4.2 - Principle 2: Identifying Purposes4.3 - Principle 3: Consent4.4 - Principle 4: Limiting Collection4.5 - Principle 5: Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention4.6 - Principle 6: Accuracy4.7 - Principle 7: Safeguards4.8 - Principle 8: Openness4.9 - Principle 9: Individual Access4.10 - Principle 10: Challenging Compliance
4.3
Principle 3: Consent
The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, except where inappropriate.
Note: In certain circumstances personal information can be collected, used, or disclosed without the knowledge and consent of the individual. For example, legal, medical, or security reasons may make it impossible or impractical to seek consent. When information is being collected for the detection and prevention of fraud or for law enforcement, seeking the consent of the individual might defeat the purpose of collecting the information. Seeking consent may be impossible or inappropriate when the individual is a minor, seriously ill, or mentally incapacitated. In addition, organizations that do not have a direct relationship with the individual may not always be able to seek consent. For example, seeking consent may be impractical for a charity or a direct-marketing firm that wishes to acquire a mailing list from another organization. In such cases, the organization providing the list would be expected to obtain consent before disclosing personal information.
4.3.1
Consent is required for the collection of personal information and the subsequent use or disclosure of this information. Typically, an organization will seek consent for the use or disclosure of the information at the time of collection. In certain circumstances, consent with respect to use or disclosure may be sought after the information has been collected but before use (for example, when an organization wants to use information for a purpose not previously identified).
4.3.2
The principle requires “knowledge and consent”. Organizations shall make a reasonable effort to ensure that the individual is advised of the purposes for which the information will be used. To make the consent meaningful, the purposes must be stated in such a manner that the individual can reasonably understand how the information will be used or disclosed.
4.3.3
An organization shall not, as a condition of the supply of a product or service, require an individual to consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of information beyond that required to fulfil the explicitly specified, and legitimate purposes.
4.3.4
The form of the consent sought by the organization may vary, depending upon the circumstances and the type of information. In determining the form of consent to use, organizations shall take into account the sensitivity of the information. Although some information (for example, medical records and income records) is almost always considered to be sensitive, any information can be sensitive, depending on the context. For example, the names and addresses of subscribers to a newsmagazine would generally not be considered sensitive information. However, the names and addresses of subscribers to some special-interest magazines might be considered sensitive.
4.3.5
In obtaining consent, the reasonable expectations of the individual are also relevant. For example, an individual buying a subscription to a magazine should reasonably expect that the organization, in addition to using the individual’s name and address for mailing and billing purposes, would also contact the person to solicit the renewal of the subscription. In this case, the organization can assume that the individual’s request constitutes consent for specific purposes. On the other hand, an individual would not reasonably expect that personal information given to a health-care professional would be given to a company selling health-care products, unless consent were obtained. Consent shall not be obtained through deception.
4.3.6
The way in which an organization seeks consent may vary, depending on the circumstances and the type of information collected. An organization should generally seek express consent when the information is likely to be considered sensitive. Implied consent would generally be appropriate when the information is less sensitive. Consent can also be given by an authorized representative (such as a legal guardian or a person having power of attorney).
4.3.7
Individuals can give consent in many ways. For example:
(a) an application form may be used to seek consent, collect information, and inform the individual of the use that will be made of the information. By completing and signing the form, the individual is giving consent to the collection and the specified uses;
(b) a checkoff box may be used to allow individuals to request that their names and addresses not be given to other organizations. Individuals who do not check the box are assumed to consent to the transfer of this information to third parties;
(c) consent may be given orally when information is collected over the telephone; or
(d) consent may be given at the time that individuals use a product or service.
4.3.8
An individual may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. The organization shall inform the individual of the implications of such withdrawal.
