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

Governing law

ATIA CASL PIPEDA Privacy Act

Outcome

OIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)Well-founded Well-founded & resolved Well-founded & conditionally resolved Well-founded & unresolved Not well-founded Action warranted s.6.1 Application Granted (refusal authorized)s.6.1 Application Denied (must respond)Settled Resolved Early-resolved Discontinued Withdrawn Declined to investigate No jurisdiction

Decision Type

Systemic Investigations

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Federal (Canada)Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents ActResolved

Apr 25, 2013Early resolved case summary #2013-01· Indexed Apr 12, 2026

Early resolved case summary #2013-01: Property management company alters its rental application form to make clear that Social Insurance Number is optional

A property management company

An individual complained that a property management company was over-collecting personal information, including Social Insurance Number (SIN), driver's licence information, and banking information, on its rental application forms. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) also investigated the company's lack of a privacy policy. The company committed to making it clear that the request for SIN, driver's licence, and banking information was optional and to posting a privacy policy on its website. The complainant was satisfied with these changes.

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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

About This Archive

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

Early resolved case summary #2013-01: Property management company alters its rental application form to make clear that Social Insurance Number is optional

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Early resolved case summary #2013-01: Property management company alters its rental application form to make clear that Social Insurance Number is optional

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