BreachOfPrivacy
Decisions/Federal (Canada)

Federal (Canada) Privacy Decisions

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

300 decisions matching
Federal (Canada)Privacy ActWell-founded
Mar 31, 2023· Indexed Apr 12, 2026

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada wrongly disclosed intimate and medical information to an employee’s management team via a fitness to work report

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) investigated a complaint concerning the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada's (IRB) improper disclosure of an employee's sensitive medical information to their management team. The IRB shared a "Fitness to Work" report containing intimate medical details without the employee's consent and beyond what was necessary for accommodation. The OPC found that while some information disclosure was consistent with the purpose of collection, the disclosure of highly sensitive medical information was not, thus contravening the Privacy Act. The IRB has since updated its policies and tools, but the OPC found the complaint to be well-founded and not adequately resolved, urging the IRB to implement its recommendations, including training and a meaningful apology.

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Privacy ActWell-founded

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada wrongly disclosed intimate and medical information to an employee’s management team via a fitness to work report

Mar 31, 2023
Adjudicator: Philippe Dufresne
Plain-Language Summary

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) investigated a complaint concerning the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada's (IRB) improper disclosure of an employee's sensitive medical information to their management team. The IRB shared a "Fitness to Work" report containing intimate medical details without the employee's consent and beyond what was necessary for accommodation. The OPC found that while some information disclosure was consistent with the purpose of collection, the disclosure of highly sensitive medical information was not, thus contravening the Privacy Act. The IRB has since updated its policies and tools, but the OPC found the complaint to be well-founded and not adequately resolved, urging the IRB to implement its recommendations, including training and a meaningful apology.

Key Issues
  • Whether the IRB obtained the complainant's consent to disclose their medical information.
  • Whether the disclosure of the medical information in the FTW report to management constituted a "consistent use" under paragraph 8(2)(a) of the Privacy Act.
  • Whether the IRB's disclosure practices complied with the Treasury Board Secretariat's "Standard" on fitness to work evaluations.
  • The adequacy of the IRB's response to the OPC's recommendations.
Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 29, 20235821-01824· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Correctional Service of Canada, 5821-01824

The OIC ordered Correctional Service of Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible but no later than July 31, 2024..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Correctional Service of Canada, 5821-01824

Mar 29, 20235821-01824

The OIC ordered Correctional Service of Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible but no later than July 31, 2024..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 29, 20235821-07170· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Transport Canada, 5821-07170

The OIC ordered Transport Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day after receipt of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Transport Canada, 5821-07170

Mar 29, 20235821-07170

The OIC ordered Transport Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day after receipt of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 27, 20235822-03076· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

National Defence, 5822-03076

The OIC ordered National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

National Defence, 5822-03076

Mar 27, 20235822-03076

The OIC ordered National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 27, 20235821-06120· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Correctional Service of Canada, 5821-06120

The OIC ordered Correctional Service of Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible but no later than October 31, 2024..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Correctional Service of Canada, 5821-06120

Mar 27, 20235821-06120

The OIC ordered Correctional Service of Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible but no later than October 31, 2024..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 27, 20235822-03075· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

National Defence, 5822-03075

The OIC ordered National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

National Defence, 5822-03075

Mar 27, 20235822-03075

The OIC ordered National Defence to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 27, 20235821-06975· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Global Affairs Canada, 5821-06975

The OIC ordered Global Affairs Canada to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Global Affairs Canada, 5821-06975

Mar 27, 20235821-06975

The OIC ordered Global Affairs Canada to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36th business day following the date of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 22, 20235821-01922· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 5821-01922

The OIC ordered Royal Canadian Mounted Police to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day after the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 5821-01922

Mar 22, 20235821-01922

The OIC ordered Royal Canadian Mounted Police to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 36th business day after the date of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 16, 20235822-04777· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Environment and Climate Change Canada, 5822-04777

The OIC ordered Environment and Climate Change Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 46th business day after receipt of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Environment and Climate Change Canada, 5822-04777

Mar 16, 20235822-04777

The OIC ordered Environment and Climate Change Canada to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 46th business day after receipt of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 15, 20235822-05163· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Canada Revenue Agency, 5822-05163

The OIC ordered Canada Revenue Agency to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 46th business day after receipt of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Canada Revenue Agency, 5822-05163

Mar 15, 20235822-05163

The OIC ordered Canada Revenue Agency to provide a complete response to the access request no later than the 46th business day after receipt of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 14, 20235821-06214· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5821-06214

The OIC ordered Public Services and Procurement Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than the 46th business day following the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5821-06214

Mar 14, 20235821-06214

The OIC ordered Public Services and Procurement Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than the 46th business day following the date of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 14, 20235821-06213· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5821-06213

The OIC ordered Public Services and Procurement Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than the 46th business day following the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5821-06213

Mar 14, 20235821-06213

The OIC ordered Public Services and Procurement Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than the 46th business day following the date of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 14, 20235821-06210· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5821-06210

The OIC ordered Public Services and Procurement Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than the 46th business day following the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Public Services and Procurement Canada, 5821-06210

Mar 14, 20235821-06210

The OIC ordered Public Services and Procurement Canada to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than the 46th business day following the date of the final report..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 14, 20235822-00150· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Canada Revenue Agency, 5822-00150

The OIC ordered Canada Revenue Agency to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than May 31, 2025..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Canada Revenue Agency, 5822-00150

Mar 14, 20235822-00150

The OIC ordered Canada Revenue Agency to provide a complete response to the access request as soon as possible, but no later than May 31, 2025..

Federal (Canada)Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)
Mar 14, 20235822-02531· Indexed Apr 21, 2026

Export Development Canada, 5822-02531

The OIC ordered Export Development Canada to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36thébusiness day following the date of the final report..

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Access to Information ActOIC Order (ATIA s.36.1, binding)

Export Development Canada, 5822-02531

Mar 14, 20235822-02531

The OIC ordered Export Development Canada to provide a complete response to the access request on the 36thébusiness day following the date of the final report..