What it does
- Decides appeals of refused freedom-of-information requests
- Investigates privacy complaints against public bodies
- Oversees health information custodians under PHIPA
- Reviews breach handling and can order remedies
Matters it hears
- Refused or heavily redacted FOI requests
- Access to your own health records
- Privacy breaches by a hospital, school board or municipality
- Fee estimates and time-extension disputes
Appeals & review
Appeals generally go to Divisional Court (Ontario).
IPC orders are final, subject to judicial review in the Divisional Court on limited grounds.
Appeal and review deadlines are short and strictly applied. Treat the decision date as the start of a clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A hospital won't give me my records.
- Health custodians must generally provide access under PHIPA. Request in writing, and if refused or ignored, complain to the IPC — there is no fee.
- How do I appeal an FOI refusal?
- File an appeal with the IPC within the deadline stated in the institution's decision. The IPC can order disclosure.
- Does the IPC cover private companies?
- Generally no — federal privacy law covers most private-sector organisations. The IPC covers Ontario public bodies and health custodians.
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General information about jurisdiction and process, not legal advice. LegalCounselNearMe is not a law firm and is not affiliated with Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC). Procedures, forms and fees change — the official site is authoritative.