Ontario Bill 194: Strengthening Cyber Security And Building Trust In The Public Sector

In May, the Government of Ontario tabled Bill 194, the Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024 (the "Bill"), which introduces the Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act ("EDST") and significantly reforms the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("FIPPA") and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ("MFIPPA"). While much of the legislation is mostly left to yet-to-be released regulations, this blog post highlights the key impacts the Bill would have, if passed, on the Ontario government and its prescribed entities' management of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and personal information protection.