Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 30 SEPTEMBER 2021

Québec Ushers In A Brave New World Of Privacy

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Explore more from Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

The Québec National Assembly has passed and the Lieutenant-Governor has assented to Bill 64, An Act to modernize legislative provisions as regards the protection of personal information.

CanadaPrivacy
Corey Omer
Corey Omer
Laila Paszti
Laila Paszti
Author LinkedIn connections

The Québec National Assembly has passed and the Lieutenant-Governor has assented to Bill 64, An Act to modernize legislative provisions as regards the protection of personal information (Act). The Act, which became law on September 22, 2021, contains a broad range of important amendments to Québec's private sector privacy law, the Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector (Private Sector Act), in addition to amending Québec's public sector privacy law. With the passage of this Act, Québec has ushered in the most consumer-friendly privacy law in Canada, allowing individuals to assert much greater control over their personal information and imposing a number of prescriptive obligations on organizations (including foreign organizations) "carrying on an enterprise" in Québec and processing personal information of Québec residents. The Act, which was heavily influenced by the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Implications Of Bill C-34, Canada’s Proposed Online Safety Framework, For Organizations

Canada's proposed Digital Safety Act introduces sweeping new obligations for social media platforms, AI chatbots, and interactive online services, requiring operators to protect children, mitigate harmful content, and implement age-verification measures. Organizations face substantial penalties of up to 5% of global revenue for non-compliance, backed by a new federal regulator with broad enforcement powers. What steps should your organization take now to prepare for this emerging regulatory framework?
CanadaPrivacy
MLT Aikins LLP
MLT Aikins LLP
Article

Privacy, Data Protection, And Cybersecurity: What Foreign Companies Must Consider Before Entering The Canadian Market

Foreign companies entering Canada often assume their existing privacy programs designed for GDPR or CCPA compliance can simply extend to Canadian operations, but Canada's legal requirements demand targeted modifications. This comprehensive guide examines Canada's private sector privacy legislation, breach reporting obligations, AI governance expectations, and anti-spam regulations that businesses must navigate before launching in the Canadian market.
CanadaPrivacy
Miller Thomson
Miller Thomson
Article

OPC Issues New PIPEDA Guidance On Assessing Third-Party Service Providers

Canada's privacy regulator has released new draft guidance establishing comprehensive due diligence standards for organizations evaluating third-party service providers under PIPEDA. The framework introduces eleven best practices covering everything from data flow mapping and AI training data sourcing to vendor lock-in risks and ongoing monitoring obligations, signaling heightened expectations for privacy accountability in vendor relationships.
CanadaPrivacy
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

Canada’s OpenAI Findings: What Businesses Need To Know About AI And Privacy Compliance

Canadian privacy regulators have completed a joint investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT, examining whether the company's collection, use, and disclosure of personal information complies with federal and provincial private-sector privacy legislation. The investigation involved the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada alongside regulators from Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta, scrutinizing OpenAI's practices in developing and operating its AI chatbot platform.
CanadaPrivacy
Aird & Berlis LLP
Aird & Berlis LLP
Article

Key Takeaways From All In 2026: AI Sovereignty, Infrastructure And Canada’s Growing Role

Canada and Germany are making unprecedented investments in AI infrastructure and safety research, while major players like Cohere, OpenAI, and Bell position themselves in a rapidly evolving landscape of technology sovereignty. How will these strategic moves reshape the global AI race and what do they mean for businesses navigating data residency, vendor relationships, and emerging regulatory frameworks?
CanadaStrategy
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Article

From Compliance To The Courtroom: Navigating Canada’s Rapidly Escalating Anti-Money Laundering Enforcement Landscape

Canada's anti-money laundering enforcement regime is undergoing a seismic shift, with FINTRAC issuing record penalties and new legislation increasing penalty caps by up to 40 times. Understanding how to navigate the enforcement pipeline—from examination through Federal Court litigation—is now critical for reporting entities facing unprecedented regulatory scrutiny.
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Article

Investment Canada Act - Guide For Foreign Investors In Canada: 2026

Davies' Investment Canada Act guide provides foreign investors with essential information about national security reviews and net benefit assessments when establishing or acquiring Canadian businesses. The comprehensive resource outlines review processes, timing considerations, and regulatory requirements that non-Canadian entities must navigate when investing in Canada.
CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Article

Bill C-36: Rewriting The Rules For Canadian Private Sector Privacy

Canada's proposed Privacy and Consumer Data Act introduces sweeping changes to private sector privacy regulation, including a new enforcement body with unprecedented penalty powers, mandatory cross-border transfer assessments, and enhanced protections for children's data. Organizations operating in Canada face a fundamental shift from PIPEDA's principles-based approach to a prescriptive compliance regime with significant financial and legal consequences.
CanadaPrivacy
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Article

The New Cost Of Environmental Non-Compliance In Québec: $300,000 Per Day

Quebec has dramatically increased minimum environmental fines for designated industrial activities by a factor of ten, with penalties now reaching up to $300,000 per day for contaminant releases. These changes, effective August 13, 2026, apply to nine categories of industrial operations including aluminum smelters, mines, cement plants, and chemical facilities, with fines doubling on first recidivism and tripling thereafter.
CanadaEnvironment
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP