Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)

The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) came into force on January 1, 2004. An associated regulation is the Personal Information Protection Act Regulation.

PIPA provides individuals with the right to request access to their own personal information while providing private sector organizations with a framework for conducting the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

Private sector organizations subject to PIPA include:

  • Corporations
  • Unincorporated associations
  • Professional regulatory associations
  • Trade unions
  • Partnerships
  • Private schools or colleges
  • Any individual acting in a commercial capacity

PIPA applies in a limited way to certain defined non-profit organizations and only to the extent that those organizations are involved in commercial activities.