Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner
Resources for the public
Court Decisions
This decision was rendered by Supreme Court of Yukon Justice D.A. Crerar regarding a judicial review brought by VinAudit Canada Inc. against the Government of Yukon (Department of Highways and Public Works), pursuant to s.105 of ATIPPA, with the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) as an intervener. Justice Crerar overturned the decision by the Deputy Minister of Highways and Public Works (DM) to reject the recommendations of the IPC in report ATP-ADJ-2022-02-045 and ordered the DM to release the requested information. In effect, the Court’s decision affirms the IPC’s findings and recommendations in its report.
This court decision was rendered on July 11, 2023 by Supreme Court of Yukon Chief Justice S.M. Duncan in regard to a court case between VinAudit Canada Inc and the Government of Yukon, with the Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner as an intervener. The preliminary issue before the court was standard of review on a judicial review conducted pursuant to s.105 of ATIPPA.
Legislation
Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Please click here to view the full ATIPP Act.
Please note that the ATIPP Act contains three regulations:
Access to Information Regulation
Designation of Public Bodies Regulation
Designation of internal auditor as a prescribed person/body
Health Information Privacy and Management Act
Please click here to view the full version of HIPMA.
Please note that HIPMA contains two regulations and a Ministerial Order.
Regulation amending the Health Information General Regulation
Health Information General Regulation
Information Sheets, Reports, Guidance
The Office of the Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner provides suggestions on how to safeguard your privacy and personal information while shopping online and in person.
Ideas for individuals, businesses & public organizations - how to manage the risk of ransomware
This special report was developed by the Offices of the Yukon Ombudsman and Privacy Commissioner, together with the BC Ombudsperson and the BC Privacy Commissioner. Released on June 17, 2021, it highlights fairness and privacy concerns related to the use of artificial intelligence in the public sector and makes recommendations for steps governments should take to use AI in a responsible manner.
This infographic summarizes key points of the special joint report on use of artificial intelligence in the public sector, Getting Ahead of the Curve: Meeting the Challenges to Privacy and Fairness Arising from the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector.
Canada’s COVID Alert exposure notification app was launched on Friday, July 31, 2020. This information sheet was prepared by the Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner to provide Yukoners with additional background about the app and how it works.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the development and use of new variations of cybercrime. In particular, texting, email, phone calls and social media are being used to trick people into giving out personal or financial information, often by playing on fears and concerns about COVID-19. This advisory is meant to create additional awareness of these problems and provide advice about what to do.
The Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner has developed an information sheet for the public which outlines what they need to know about exercising their rights to privacy and to access information during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) is issuing this advisory to inform Yukoners about a recent cyber security incident involving the Zoom videoconferencing application and to provide information about how to reduce risks to privacy.
The Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner provides advice to government, public organizations, businesses, employees and the public in regard to protecting personal information while working from home or other remote locations, in particular in regard to applications that support remote work and the potential privacy risks of using them.
The Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod-McKay provides suggestions on how to safeguard your privacy online and in the shopping mall
The Information and Privacy Commissioner created this information sheet to provide more details about the Health Information Privacy and Management Act (HIPMA) following the Yukon Government announcement that HIPMA and the regulations became law on August 31, 2016.
Mobile devices have rapidly become standard tools in business environments. They offer tremendous convenience; however, they also raise important new risks for privacy and the protection of personal information. Organizations must take steps to mitigate these risks to ensure that mobile devices do not become the source of a data breach.
Data Privacy Week 2023
For Data Privacy Week 2023, we are posting a privacy tip every day, Monday through Friday, to help you develop better practices to protect your privacy.
Do you use the same password for multiple websites?
Are your social media accounts public?
Do you share accounts (Netflix, Spotify, email) with friends or family?
Can your online post really last forever?
Videos
Empowering a New Generation of Digital Citizens
To mark Data Privacy Day on January 28, 2022, Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Patricia Kosseim, hosted a free online webcast. It focussed on how best to champion the privacy and access rights of Ontario's children and youth, by promoting their digital literacy and digital rights, while holding institutions accountable for protecting the children and youth they serve.
How to Detect a Fraudulent Website While Shopping
This video was developed by the Office of the Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner in November 2021 to help viewers understand some of the risks posed to privacy and personal information while shopping, both online and in-person. It also provide helpful tips to reduce these risks.
Relevant FAQs
- Is the Information and Privacy Commissioner part of government?
No, the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) is an independent officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly and is, therefore, not part of the Yukon government.
In Yukon, the IPC is the same person as the Ombudsman and the Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner. Click on each role for more information.
The IPC is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Health Information Privacy and Management Act (HIPMA) and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP).
ATIPP applies to Yukon public bodies, such as Yukon government departments. HIPMA applies to custodians (see ‘What is a custodian?’). For more information about HIPMA see the HIPMA FAQ section.
The IPC has a number of responsibilities under these Acts and has broad authority to investigate complaints made, including the power to compel production of records and witnesses. Under ATIPP and HIPMA, the IPC also has adjudicative authority which means her office can make findings of fact and law that are binding on public bodies and custodians subject to the Acts.
Contact Us
We're here to help!
3162 Third Avenue, Main Floor
(corner of Third Avenue & Alexander Street)
Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 1G3
With the continued presence of COVID-19 in our community, our office continues to encourage the wearing of masks by all visitors to our office. If you do not have a mask, our office can provide you with a disposable one.
Follow Us:
@YukonOmbIpcPidc
@yukonombipcpidc
Omb @yukonombudsman
IPC @yukonipc
To submit a complaint or a request for review (access request) form:
Phone: 867-667-8468
Toll free in the Yukon:
1-800-661-0408 (ext. 8468)
Email*: intake@yukonombudsman.ca
For media inquiries:
Phone:867-332-4555
Email*: communications@yukonombudsman.ca