How do I get information a company holds about me?

Make a written access request to the organisation. If it refuses or does not respond within the legal timeframe, you can apply to the CAI to review the decision.

Quebec's modernised privacy legislation, which strengthened consent, transparency, breach notification, transfer assessments and rules on automated decision-making. The CAI enforces it.

Does the CAI cover businesses or only government?

Both. It oversees public bodies under the access legislation and private enterprises under Quebec's private-sector privacy law.

Applying to the CAI is generally free, though organisations may charge limited fees for reproducing records.

Commission d'accès à l'information (CAI) — Quebec Privacy & Access Rights

Commission d'accès à l'information (CAI)

Quebec Access to Information Commission

The Commission d'accès à l'information oversees Quebec's access-to-information and privacy legislation — including the Law 25 reforms — for both public bodies and private enterprises. It has two functions: overseeing compliance, and adjudicating disputes such as a refusal to give you access to your own personal information.

What it does

Oversees access to information held by Quebec public bodies
Enforces private-sector privacy obligations, including under Law 25
Adjudicates refusals of access and correction requests
Investigates privacy complaints and breach handling

Matters it hears

Refusal to provide access to personal information or records
Refusal to correct inaccurate personal information
Privacy complaints against public bodies or businesses
Data breach and transfer compliance matters

Appeals & review

Appeals generally go to Cour du Québec.

CAI decisions may be appealed to the Cour du Québec on questions of law or jurisdiction, with leave.

Appeal and review deadlines are short and strictly applied. Treat the decision date as the start of a clock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get information a company holds about me?: Make a written access request to the organisation. If it refuses or does not respond within the legal timeframe, you can apply to the CAI to review the decision.
What is Law 25?: Quebec's modernised privacy legislation, which strengthened consent, transparency, breach notification, transfer assessments and rules on automated decision-making. The CAI enforces it.
Does the CAI cover businesses or only government?: Both. It oversees public bodies under the access legislation and private enterprises under Quebec's private-sector privacy law.
Is there a fee?: Applying to the CAI is generally free, though organisations may charge limited fees for reproducing records.

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General information about jurisdiction and process, not legal advice. LegalCounselNearMe is not a law firm and is not affiliated with Commission d'accès à l'information (CAI). Procedures, forms and fees change — the official site is authoritative.