Overview
The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) is Alberta’s private sector privacy law.
PIPA applies to provincially regulated private sector organizations, businesses and, in some instances, to non-profit organizations for the protection of personal information and to provide a right of access to an individual’s personal information.
Organizations that are subject to PIPA must develop and follow policies that are reasonable to meet its obligations under the act.
When PIPA refers to any thing or any matter as 'reasonable,' it is that which a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.
For public bodies, such as government departments and municipalities, please see the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act website.
For more information about how PIPA relates to personal information, see:
- Collecting personal information
- Using personal information
- Disclosing personal information
- Employee information
- Protecting personal information
Legislation history
PIPA
PIPA was introduced in the Alberta Legislature as Bill 44 on May 14, 2003 and came into effect on January 1, 2004. PIPA has been amended by the following statutes (in chronological order of date of enactment):
- Personal Information Protection Amendment Act, S.A. 2005, c. 29 (effective June 2, 2005)
- Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act 2008, c.A-4.2 (effective October 30, 2009)
- Personal Information Protection Amendment Act, S.A. 2009, c. 50 (effective May 1, 2010)
- Personal Information Protection Amendment Act, S.A. 2014, c. 14 (effective December 17, 2014)
PIPA Regulation
The Personal Information Protection Act Regulation has been amended by the following statutes and regulations (in chronological order of date of enactment):
- Miscellaneous Correction Regulation (A.R. 108/2004), s. 27 (effective June 9, 2004)
- Personal Information Protection Act Amendment Regulation (A.R. 51/2010) (effective May 1, 2010)
2015 Review
The next review of PIPA began July 1, 2015. The Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future was designated the Special Committee for review of PIPA. The committee presented its recommendations to the Legislative Assembly in September 2016.
2014 Amendments
Bill 3, the Personal Information Protection Amendment Act was introduced in the Legislature November 18, 2014. This Act amends PIPA to allow a trade union to collect, use and disclose personal information without consent to inform or persuade the public about a matter of significant public interest or importance about a labour relations dispute. The amendments received Royal Assent on December 17, 2014 and came into effect immediately.
For more information, see the Non-profits and other organizations section on Protecting personal information.
Earlier Amendments
On May 16, 2006, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta appointed an all-party Select Special Committee to review PIPA. Albertans were invited to participate in the review. The committee submitted its final report on November 14, 2007. In response the Government of Alberta introduced Bill 54, the Personal Information Protection Amendment Act on October 27, 2009.
Reference material
Personal Information Protection Act, 2009
- Overview of the 2009 amendments to the act and regulation.
Contact
Connect with the FOIP/PIPA help desk to ask questions about the collection, use disclosure and privacy of information within Alberta.