Federal (Canada) Privacy Decisions

Browse privacy decisions from Federal (Canada) — with AI-generated plain-language summaries for every ruling.

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Jurisdiction

Federal (Canada)Ontario British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Quebec Nova Scotia New Brunswick Prince Edward Island Newfoundland and Labrador

Federal (Canada)Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents ActNo jurisdiction

Jul 18, 2016PIPEDA Case Summary #2016-011· Indexed Apr 12, 2026

PIPEDA Case Summary #2016-011: Defending against a civil lawsuit not considered a commercial activity

A psychiatrist

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) investigated a complaint regarding a psychiatrist's handling of a patient's personal information. The patient had requested access to his information following a medical assessment conducted as part of a civil lawsuit defence. However, the OPC determined that the psychiatrist's activities were not commercial in nature but were for the purpose of defending a lawsuit. As PIPEDA only applies to commercial activities, the OPC concluded it lacked jurisdiction to investigate the complaint.

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Outcome Notes

Federal rulings come from two regulators with different statutory authority — outcome filters cover both.

OIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding) — Since June 2019 (Bill C-58) the Information Commissioner can issue binding orders requiring disclosure or reconsideration. Enforceable after 31/41 business days unless reviewed by the Federal Court (s.41).

Well-Founded — finding that the complaint is well-founded. For OIC: ATIA s.37(1)(a) finding (may be paired with a s.36.1 order). For OPC: Privacy Act s.35(1) / PIPEDA s.13(1) advisory finding — recommendations only, no binding order-making power.

Not Well-Founded — no contravention found.

s.6.1 Application— the OIC's response to a head's application for authorization to refuse a frivolous, vexatious, or bad-faith access request. Granted = institution may refuse; Denied = institution must respond.

Settled / Resolved / Early-resolved — OPC matter resolved during or before formal findings without a contravention finding.

Declined to investigate / No jurisdiction — Procedural close (Privacy Act s.34, PIPEDA discretion, or scope outside the Acts).

References: ATIA s.36.1 · OPC disposition definitions

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Breach of Privacy archives Canadian privacy decisions from federal, provincial, and territorial commissioners. Each decision includes an AI-generated plain-language summary. Always verify against the official source document.

Federal (Canada) Privacy Decisions

PIPEDA Case Summary #2016-011: Defending against a civil lawsuit not considered a commercial activity

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PIPEDA Case Summary #2016-011: Defending against a civil lawsuit not considered a commercial activity

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