Personal information Protection
Personal information protection has become a critical issue for public agencies and private companies. The obligations they face are more numerous and complex, and failure to comply can result in legal action, significant penalties, and reputational risks. Our team supports you in implementing compliant practices, managing incidents, and addressing issues with respect to personal information protection. Our attorneys do everything possible to prevent risks, manage sensitive situations, and protect your organization’s interests—so you can focus on what matters most: your business.
Our Legal Services in Privacy and Access to Information
Our team closely monitors developments in personal information law and possesses in-depth expertise in this area. We assist and train all types of private companies—whether under provincial or federal jurisdiction—as well as public agencies in complying with their applicable obligations. In particular, we advise them on implementing policies and practices that comply with the law and are tailored to their specific circumstances, whether to govern the collection, use, retention, disclosure, or destruction of personal information.
We also step in when situations require a quick response, particularly in the event of a privacy incident that could compromise personal information—whether sensitive or not—including data related to your customers, employees, or partners.
In addition, we assist our public sector clients with all matters relating to access to information requests, including both analyzing the obligation to disclose the requested information and drafting the response. We also assist our private-sector clients with third-party notices they receive in connection with access to information request directed at a public body, including by conducting the same analysis and drafting the response. In both cases, we represent our clients before the Commission d’accès à l’information.
Our team of attorneys specializing in privacy and access to information provides support through the following legal services:
Compliance
- Assistance in implementing best practices related to personal information protection
- Legal opinions on applicable laws and regulations and management of conflicts of law
- Legal opinions on issues related to privacy protection at work
- Drafting and reviewing policies, consent forms, document retention schedules, and data processing agreements
- Support in implementing projects involving the acquisition, development, or overhaul of information systems or electronic service delivery platforms, such as artificial intelligence tools
- Conducting privacy impact assessments (PIAs)
Privacy Incidents
- Support in the preventive and reactive management of privacy incidents, particularly in assessing the risk of serious harm
- Analysis of notification obligations to authorities and data subjects
- Analysis of whether serious harm has occurred
Access to Information
- Assistance to public agencies in handling access to information requests
- Assistance to private companies following receipt of a third-party notice in connection with an access to information request
- Drafting of relevant responses
Representation & Appeals
- Representation before the Commission d’accès à l’information and other courts
Training
- Training tailored to clients’ needs regarding personal information protection
Choosing Stein Monast means:
Surrounding yourself with a team that understands that personal information protection goes beyond simple legal compliance. We help you implement practices tailored to your specific situation, anticipate risks relating to the management of personal information, and act diligently when a breach occurs. Our various client base allows us to work across multiple sectors, which increase our understanding of the unique challenges facing each industry.
Partnering with a team experienced in personal information protection and freedom of information. We will assist you to comply with and interprete your obligations and advise you on how to handle access requests.
Please note that our privacy and access to information team works closely with our labor and employment law attorneys to address all of your organization’s needs.
