Today, January 28, 2021, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner joins other provinces and territories across Canada, as well as the global privacy community, in celebrating Data Privacy Day.

Data Privacy Day is an internationally recognized day dedicated to creating awareness about the importance of privacy and the protection of personal information. Privacy has been recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada as a right of all Canadians under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In this province it has been enshrined into law through the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 and the Personal Health Information Act.

“Governments, other public bodies and private companies are collecting and using more information about us every day. We recognize Data Privacy Day to encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to be more aware of who holds data about them and what they are doing with it, and to call for governments to provide better legislative protection for this information,” said Commissioner Michael Harvey.

This Data Privacy Day, we would like to announce the launch of our new podcast “Duty to Discuss”. Part of the OIPC’s mandate is an educational component, which encompasses training and guidance resources regarding access to information and protection of privacy. As part of this mandate, we have launched a podcast to discuss a wide array of access and privacy matters, affecting both the public and private sector, which may be of interest to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canadians in general.

Our first guest is Dr. Chandra Kavanagh of Bounce Health Innovation, a Centre at Memorial University’s Medical School that supports new start-up companies in developing innovative health solutions. We invite you to listen to our inaugural podcast, found on our website and here.

For further information about Data Privacy Day activities and events, sure to visit the official Data Privacy Day website.

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research and Quality Assurance
709-729-6309