Skip to content

Brought to you by

Dentons logo

Dentons Data

Your trusted advisor for all things digital.

open menu close menu

Dentons Data

  • Home
  • About Us

Changes Coming to British Columbia’s Privacy Law

By Kirsten Thompson
February 26, 2020
  • Data
  • Legislation
  • Privacy
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email Share on LinkedIn

On February 18, 2020, the British Columbia Legislature appointed a special committee to review that province’s Personal Information Protection Act (“PIPA“), the private sector privacy law applicable to British Columbia organizations.

PIPA came into effect in January 2004, and pursuant to s. 59, a special committee must review the Act every 6 years and submit a report. The report may include recommended amendments. In a period in which numerous privacy laws, both domestic and international are being revised, the move by the province comes as no surprise.

Also under review in a separate process is the federal private sector legislation, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA“). On June 18, 2019, the Government of Canada launched its National Digital and Data consultations, which led to the development of the Digital Charter in Action: A Plan by Canadians, for Canadians. As part of the Digital Charter Action Plan, Innovation, Science and Economic Development published a discussion paper, Strengthening Privacy for the Digital Age, which included a set of proposals to modernize PIPEDA.

The Paper outlines a series of policy considerations related to specific proposals that would serve to enhance consumers’ control, enable responsible innovation and enhance enforcement.

The Government is also studying potential reforms to the Privacy Act, which governs the personal information-handling practices of federal institutions. That initiative is being led by Justice Canada, working closely with the Treasury Board Secretariat.


For more information about Denton’s data expertise and how we can help, please see our Transformative Technologies and Data Strategy page and our unique Dentons Data suite of data solutions for every business.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via email Share on LinkedIn
Subscribe and stay updated
Receive our latest blog posts by email.
Stay in Touch
BC PIPA, Digital Charter, PIPEDA, Privacy
Kirsten Thompson

About Kirsten Thompson

Kirsten Thompson is a partner and the national lead of Dentons’ Privacy and Cybersecurity group. She has both an advisory and advocacy practice, and provides privacy, data security and data management advice to clients in a wide variety of industries.

All posts Full bio

RELATED POSTS

  • Class Actions
  • Intrusion upon Seclusion
  • Litigation
  • Privacy
  • Privacy Torts

Ontario Court of Appeal holds no intrusion upon seclusion for third-party data breaches in a trio of decisions

By Chloe Snider and Luca Lucarini
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Privacy

Part 2: Canada’s evolving artificial intelligence and privacy regime

By Luca Lucarini
  • Data
  • Privacy

Privacy Commissioner Extends Deadline for Transborder Data Flow Consultation

By Kirsten Thompson

About Dentons

Redefining possibilities. Together, everywhere. For more information visit dentons.com

Grow, Protect, Operate, Finance. Dentons, the law firm of the future is here. Copyright 2023 Dentons. Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. Please see dentons.com for Legal notices.

Categories

Subscribe and stay updated

Receive our latest blog posts by email.

Stay in Touch

Dentons logo in black and white

© 2025 Dentons

  • Legal notices
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use
  • Cookies on this site