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ARTICLE · 16 MARCH 2026

Canada Privacy Laws: What U.S. Businesses Need To Know

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
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If you are a consumer-facing business in the United States or are in the field of advising them on privacy matters, you are aware of the importance of privacy and data protection compliance.

GlobalPrivacy
Hélène Deschamps Marquis
Hélène Deschamps Marquis
Candice Hévin
Candice Hévin
Abby Shine
Abby Shine
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If you are a consumer-facing business in the United States or are in the field of advising them on privacy matters, you are aware of the importance of privacy and data protection compliance.

Despite this awareness, too many companies and counsels tend to overlook the need to consider Canadian privacy laws, especially when engaging in cross-border commercial transactions, and overlooking at the same time Québec privacy law which has a strict regime comparable to the GDPR, with fines reaching up to $25 million or 4 per cent of global revenue.

To assume that U.S. and Canadian privacy laws are the same would be misleading. This page offers guidance on how U.S. businesses can navigate Canadian privacy laws. It provides an overview of Canadian privacy legislation, highlights key elements, and concludes with practical considerations to keep top of mind prior to engaging in and during commercial transactions.

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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.

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