Pacific Economic Development Agency Added to Privacy Act

Summary#

This order, Order Amending the Schedule to the Privacy Act (SOR/2021-189), adds the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada to the list of federal institutions covered by the Privacy Act. The change took effect on August 6, 2021.

What it does#

• Adds Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada / Agence de développement économique du Pacifique Canada to the schedule of institutions listed under the Privacy Act.
• Declares the amendment in force on August 6, 2021.

Who's affected#

• People whose personal information is held by the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (clients, applicants, program participants).
• Staff and contractors of the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, because the agency must follow the Privacy Act rules for handling personal data.
• It is unclear from the notice whether other groups are affected beyond the agency and people who interact with it.

Why it matters#

• Being on the schedule means the agency is officially covered by the Privacy Act. In practical terms, that makes it subject to the Act’s rules on collecting, using and disclosing personal information and to access requests from individuals asking for their own records.
• This change increases transparency and gives people clear legal pathways to request or correct personal information held by the agency.