Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Family Day weekend is a great time to unplug, spend time together and have some fun.

Our Privacy Pursuit! activity book helps children learn about online privacy through word searches, puzzles, and games that build digital literacy and safe online habits. Learn more:
https://ow.ly/4fqn50Yfl19

YouTube video by Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Privacy Day 2026 | Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils, and Protections (Event Recording)

On January 28, the IPC had the pleasure of hosting Ontarians to a public event in celebration of Data Privacy Day. The theme was Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils, and Protections. If you weren’t able to attend, the webcast is available on our YouTube channel. youtu.be/8rl9T0K3sVY?...

Right side: Against dark blue background in white font: "Canada has the potential to be a world leader in building AI tools for equity." Dr. Kwame McKenzie, CEO Wellesley Institute Left side: Dr. Kwame McKenzie, holding a microphone speaking at an event.

Canada has the 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 to be a world leader in building AI tools for equity. Our CEO, Dr. Kwame McKenzie, spoke about this potential - and reasons for both concern and optimism - at the @ipcontario.bsky.social's Privacy Day event about AI in health, Jan 28. Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rl9...

This #SaferInternetDay, help young people navigate the digital world safely! Explore our free lesson plans, sign onto our digital privacy charter, and access resources to support educators and parents in fostering digital literacy. Learn more: ow.ly/rLio50YbLML

We’re hiring a Head of Information Technology and Information Management.

This senior leadership role will shape the IPC’s digital vision, strengthen cybersecurity and business continuity, and lead the systems and services that support our mandate.

Learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/Qwza50YbLwx

In her latest blog, the Commissioner reflects on IPC’s 2026 Privacy Day and the urgent need for trustworthy AI in health, alongside the launch of new guidance on AI scribes.

Read the Commissioner’s blog and watch the full event webcast: www.ipc.on.ca/en/media-cen...

YouTube video by Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario Privacy Day 2026 | Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils, and Protections (Event Recording)

Missed #IPCPrivacyDay? Catch up on our insightful discussion exploring how AI is being deployed in Ontario’s health sector. Watch the full recording here: youtu.be/8rl9T0K3sVY?...

Blue checklist on top of a photo of health workers using a tablet. The checklist reads: AI Scribes: Checklist of Key Considerations for the Health Sector - Preparing an AI governance and accountability framework - Developers of AI scribes - Custodians who procure AI scribes - Custodians who use AI scribes

Are you considering the use of an AI scribe? The IPC’s new guidance outlines what to consider when assessing vendors, building in contractual safeguards, and protecting personal health information in practice. Pair the guidance with our practical checklist: www.ipc.on.ca/en/resources...

The @ipcontario.bsky.social has been on a roll with AI. First a collab with OHRC on joint principles for responsible public sector use of AI, which @teresascassa.bsky.social covers here. It is great + about time OHRC is increasingly integrated on AI issues, given the human rights of it all.

The IPC is hiring summer students! Are you a post-secondary student eager to launch your career in a dynamic, impactful environment?
💼 Gain valuable work experience
🔧 Develop transferable skills
🌐 Expand your network
Apply now: https://ow.ly/6IYN50Y5w7e

We’re at the @onlibraryassoc.bsky.social Super Conference!
Our team is on site sharing practical resources on Ontario’s privacy and access to information laws, tips to protect against ransomware and phishing, and fun activities to help children learn about privacy. If you’re attending, come say hi!

That's a wrap! Thanks to our moderators and expert panellists for sharing their view on AI in healthcare and to all who attended and submitted such thought-provoking questions.

Stay tuned & follow us for the recording!

For more info, visit: ipc.on.ca #IPCPrivacyDay🔐

Nicole Minutti, Senior Health Policy Advisor, IPC Ontario explains that transformative innovation in the world has relied on being be safe and of high quality. When institutions follow strong principles they ensure AI is built for equity. Privacy should not be seen as a barrier but as an advantage.

Dr. @colleenmflood.bsky.social, Dean of Law, Queen’s University addresses the legal, ethical, clinical and privacy risks associated with AI transparency. Patients' trust in physicians to keep their info safe, and therefore will be trusting of a clinical AI tool which may not deserve patient trust.

Now onto our third panel on AI protections, @sandrashares.bsky.social offers her patient voice and urges clinicians to ask for patient feedback often, to see how they’re doing and assess how the AI tool may be impacting their healthcare.

Suzanne Brant, President, @fnti.bsky.social explains that consent is a relationship – so when looking at designing AI, the relationship should be considered to include the mind, body and spirit. AI design is an opportunity for relationship building and reciprocity should take place.

Dr. @teresascassa.bsky.social explores how there have been several studies outlining an AI trust gap that can impede adoption. When looking at consent of AI use in healthcare, we need to find a way to build trust in these tools in a clinical setting without impacting the care people receive.

On to our next panel, Dr. Kwame McKenzie, CEO of @wellesleyinstitute.bsky.social states how through the history of medicine most innovations have made services and outcomes inequitable. Those with time and money gain access while those who don’t, go without. AI adds a layer that can hold bias.

Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya from @wchospital.bsky.social dives into how health data can optimize core elements of our healthcare system, how it can improve planning or system performance. He notes it will be helpful to put the system's benefits first and create structures around it to mitigate risk.

An advertisement for the event listing the names, affiliations and photos of the eight speakers. The event name is Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils and Protections.

We are pleased that Wellesley Institute CEO Kwame McKenzie is speaking today as part of a panel discussion at the @ipcontario.bsky.social event entitled Trustworthy AI in Health: The Promise, Perils and Protections. Dr. McKenzie will be speaking about the perils of AI.

Dr. Khaled El Emam from @uottawa.ca explores a research project at CHEO using AI to flag patients requiring genetic testing. He states we’re at a formative stage to use these tools and regulatory pathway to bring these tools in into practice beyond a research setting is needed.

In our first panel, Dr. Amol Verma from @unityhealthto.bsky.social speaks about four categories of AI: general AI used day-to-day, general clinical AI which is a platform designed for a healthcare provider, specific clinical AI tools like AI scribes, and AI embedded in our health systems already.

If you have questions during today's #IPCPrivacyDay event, please feel free to ask them via email at privacyday@ipc.on.ca📩

In her opening address, Commissioner Patricia Kosseim outlines how AI has transformed how information can be used to improve our goods and services but also brings new risks to our privacy and human rights. #IPCPrivacyDay

Our Privacy Day event on trustworthy AI in healthcare is kicking off soon! We’re looking forward to insightful discussions exploring how AI is being deployed in Ontario’s health sector.

If you're attending, don't forget to use #IPCPrivacyDay in your posts and join the conversation online.

Privacy is a fundamental right of every Ontarian. All Ontario public institutions are legally required to protect your personal information, and to follow strict rules when collecting, using and disclosing it. How are you recognizing Data Privacy Week? #DPW2026

It's #DataPrivacyWeek. As technology continues to shape how our information is collected and used, it's more important than ever to understand your privacy rights and how your personal data is protected.

The IPC's Youth Ambassador Toolkit, designed by our Youth Advisory Council, empowers young people with the knowledge and resources they need to educate their peers about the importance of privacy and their associated rights. https://ow.ly/QCuV50Y1VZW

The IPC and the Ontario Human Rights Commission have released joint principles for the responsible use of AI in the public sector, a framework to ensure AI systems in Ontario are developed and deployed to respect privacy, uphold human rights, and serve the public good. www.ipc.on.ca/en/resources...