Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
As part of making the protection of Albertans’ personal information a priority, Alberta’s government passed the Protection of Privacy Act in December 2024. With the act coming into effect June 11, Alberta has implemented the strongest privacy protection and the strictest penalties for privacy violations in Canada. These actions demonstrate Alberta’s promise to ensure clarity, consistency and stronger protections for Albertan’s personal information.
The Protection of Privacy Act ensures personal information is properly managed and protected by setting best practices into law, making it mandatory for public bodies to create programs and services with protection of privacy in mind.
The Protection of Privacy Regulation and the Protection of Privacy Ministerial Regulation take these concepts one step further by setting out detailed but practical expectations to help public bodies protect Albertans’ privacy, build public trust and strengthen accountability. For example, the regulations require that public bodies adopt a privacy management program that meets specific standards by spring 2026.
These changes ensure public bodies use and share personal information responsibly, allowing all government programs and services to be designed with privacy in mind from the start. Albertans deserve to have the strongest privacy protections and toughest penalties in Canada.
“Albertans have told us that their privacy is important. We listened and took action. We brought in the strongest public sector privacy protections and the strictest penalties in Canada. This is a key part of our government’s ongoing commitment to modernizing and strengthening Alberta’s privacy and access laws to keep pace with technological advancements and best practices.
To ensure transparency, a website is also available to see exactly which items will be affected by these changes. Resources are available on Alberta.ca to support public bodies, including online training, information sheets, templates and more.
Quick facts
- The Protection of Privacy Act includes other common-sense changes. For example:
- Public bodies will have clear rules for when and how to share information with each other to provide a common or integrated service, so the right information can be in the right place at the right time to ensure the best possible service delivery for Albertans. For example, during emergencies, Albertans could be assessed quickly for eligibility for supports that are provided by various public bodies.
- Collection notices will include clarification that Albertans can contact public bodies by email not just by mail or phone, and that a collection notice does not need to be repeated if information is collected from the same person for the same reason.
- Regular review of the act will be required.
- The Protection of Privacy Act page has resources to help public bodies become compliant with the new legislation, as well as for Albertans looking to learn more about their updated rights.
- Non-residents and Albertans without a verified Alberta.ca account can use the personal information banks on Alberta.ca.
- Personal information banks provide details on why information is collected and the legal authority under which it is collected.
- Verified Alberta.ca accounts are only available to residents of Alberta with valid identification issued by the province.
Related information
- Protection of Privacy Act information
- Create or log in to your Alberta.ca account
- Protection of Privacy Act
- Access to Information Act
- Personal Information Banks
Related news
- Updates to privacy and access legislation (March 20, 2025)
- Strengthening privacy protections for the digital age (Nov. 6, 2024)