Investigative Bodies Updated in Privacy Rules

Summary#

These final regulations, Regulations Amending the Privacy Regulations: SOR/2022-151, update two outdated names in Schedule II of the Privacy Regulations so the correct investigative units are listed. The change took effect when the regulations were made (registered June 21, 2022; published July 6, 2022).

What it does#

• Replaces the old listing Security Bureau, Passport Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with Passport Entitlement and Investigations Division, Department of Citizenship and Immigration in Schedule II.
• Replaces Investigations Division, Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections with Enforcement Directorate, Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections in Schedule II.
• These listings matter because they identify which investigative bodies federal institutions can disclose personal information to for law enforcement or investigations under the Privacy Act.

Who's affected#

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — specifically the unit that handles passport entitlement investigations (listed here as the Passport Entitlement and Investigations Division).
• Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections — specifically its Enforcement Directorate.
• Other federal departments and agencies that hold personal information and may be asked to share it for investigations.
• Members of the public whose personal information might be needed for passport or election-related investigations.

Why it matters#

• It clears up outdated names so the right investigative units can get information they need to do their work.
• That helps passport investigations and election-enforcement work run more smoothly and avoids delays caused by confusion about who is authorized to receive information.
• The changes do not create new investigative powers or force departments to disclose information; they only update the list of authorized recipients under the existing Privacy Act rules.
• No extra costs or new duties for businesses or the public were identified.