Alberta Proposes Modernized Public Sector Privacy And Information Access Legislation: Unpacking Bills 33 And 34

On November 6, 2024, the Alberta government introduced legislative proposals aimed at modernizing the province's privacy and access to information laws. Bill 33: the Protection of Privacy Act,¹ and Bill 34: the Access to Information Act,² represent the first major updates to Alberta's public sector privacy and access legislation since the early 2000s.

This bulletin provides of overview of the key components of these bills and highlights the potential impact on organizations interacting with Alberta's public bodies.

Background

The existing Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act³ ("FOIP Act"), introduced in 1995, is at risk of becoming obsolete due to rapid technological advancements and increasing reliance on digital platforms. As the Alberta government noted, "Alberta's privacy law is outdated and must be refreshed to meet the realities of the modern world."⁴ The proposed division of the FOIP Act into two separate pieces of legislation, similar