2019 to 2020 Annual Report on the Privacy Act
Introduction
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is pleased to submit to Parliament its annual report on the administration of the Privacy Act (the Act) for the reporting period commencing on April 1, 2019 and ending on March 31, 2020. This report was prepared and tabled in accordance with section 72 of the Act.
The Act which took effect on July 1, 1983, gives Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or any person and corporation present in Canada, a right to access information contained in government records, subject to certain specific and limited exceptions.
The Agency derives its mandate from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Act (FCAC Act). The FCAC Act outlines the Agency’s functions and administration and enforcement powers, and lists the sections of federal laws and regulations under its supervision.
The FCAC Act identifies the objects of the Agency, which are listed in Sections 3(2) and 3(3) at the following link: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-11.1/page-1.html#h-222474
FCAC’s mandate is to protect financial consumers. It achieves this in two primary ways: by supervising financial institutions and other federally regulated entities, and by enhancing the financial literacy of Canadians through education and research.
In 2019–2020, the Agency renewed its vision and mission statements. The new vision statement, “To be a leader and innovator in financial consumer protection” expresses how the Agency’s role as regulator and educator helps it protect financial consumers. The new mission statement, “Protect, Supervise, Educate” embodies the Agency’s commitment to protect consumers of financial products and services, supervise federally regulated financial entities, and educate financial consumers to help them make informed decisions and improve their financial literacy. Together, these statements define FCAC’s purpose and identity, and affirm its focus on finding ways to improve outcomes for all Canadian financial consumers.
Organization or activities
The Agency’s Commissioner is the designated head of FCAC for the purpose of the Act. The Commissioner has delegated certain authorities under the Act to the positions of Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services; Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Coordinator; and Senior ATIP Advisor. This serves to oversee the administration of the Act within the Agency and ensures compliance with the legislation.
The ATIP Coordinator, is accountable for the development, coordination and implementation of effective Agency policies, guidelines, systems, and procedures relevant to the Act . This ensures that the Agency’s responsibilities are met and that there is appropriate processing and proper protection and disclosure of information.
The main activities of the ATIP Coordinator (Director, Finance and Administration, Corporate Services) include:
- processing requests under the Act;
- developing and maintaining policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure the Act is respected by FCAC;
- promoting awareness of the Act to ensure FCAC’s responsiveness to theobligations imposed on the government;
- monitoring FCAC’s compliance with the Act, regulations and relevant procedures and policies;
- preparing annual reports to Parliament and other statutory reports, as well as other material that may be required by central agencies;
- representing FCAC in dealings with the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada (OIC) and other government departments and agencies regarding the application of the Act as it relates to the Agency; and
- supporting FCAC in meeting its commitments in relation to greater openness and transparency through proactive disclosure of information and the disclosure of information through informal avenues.
Reading Room
The Agency has provided space for a reading room where the public may consult documents, at the following address:
Enterprise Building
427 Laurier Avenue West
6th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
Delegation order
The Delegation Order sets out the powers, duties, and functions for the administration of the Act that have been delegated by the Agency’s Commissioner as the head of the institution. The Delegation Order is attached as Appendix A.
Statiscal report
The Statistical Report is attached as Appendix B.
Requests
During this reporting period, the Agency received zero formal requests under the Act and there were no outstanding requests from the previous reporting period.
Consultations
During this reporting period, the Agency did not receive any consultation requests from other government institutions or organizations.
Multi-Year Trends
Number of Requests | 2016–2017 | 2017–2018 | 2018–2019 | 2019–2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Received | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Carried over from the previous period |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Carried over to the next period |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Processed | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Fully disclosed |
2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Partially disclosed |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
No records |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Exemptions invoked |
Not applicable | Not applicable | 26 | Not applicable |
Exclusions invoked |
Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Consultations | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosures made pursuant to paragraph 8(2)(m) of the Privacy Act
During this reporting period, the Agency did not make any disclosures of personal information pursuant to paragraph 8(2)(m) of the Act
Privacy impact assessment
During the reporting period, the Agency commenced the development of a privacy impact assessment (PIA) but it was not finalized by year end. Also, no new data-sharing activities took place.
Privacy breaches
No privacy breaches occurred during this reporting period.
Awareness and training activities
During this reporting period, ATIP training was included as part of the FCAC new employee training session, and a coaching approach was applied with employees involved with the access to personal information process. As such, an individual’s responsibilities were explained, and the retrieval obligations and workflow were described, and their application monitored.
Agency policies and procedures
During this reporting period, the Agency applied its institution-specific policies and procedures for the processing of requests. FCAC monitors processing times by entering all actions and activities in an electronic database. A timeline for processing is established according to permissible legislation time frames. This timeline and accompanying workflow were reviewed and adjusted in cases where extensions were required.
Privacy Act complaints
During this reporting period, the Agency received no complaints and was not subject to investigations or appeals to the courts. In addition, the Office if the Privacy Commissioner of Canada did not raise any concerns or issues.
Costs
During this reporting period, the costs incurred relating to the application of the Privacy Act totaled $39,612. These costs were incurred to develop a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA); work commenced on the PIA, but it was not completed by the end of the fiscal year. All costs related to hiring ATIP consultants.
Personnel……………………………………………………… $39,612
Appendix A: Delegation Order
Privacy Act Delegation Order
The Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, pursuant to section 73 of the Privacy Act, hereby designates the following persons to exercise or perform the powers, duties or functions of the head of the institution set out in the sections of the act indicated next to beside each position.
Original signed by
Judith Robertson
Commissioner, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Date: June 16, 2020
Section of the Privacy Act | Powers, duties or functions | Position |
---|---|---|
8 | Disclosure for research purposed, Disclosure in the public interest or in the interest of the individual, Copies of requests under 8(2)(e) to be retained and Notice of disclosure under 8(2)(m) | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
9 | Record of disclosures to be retained and Consistent uses | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
14 | Notice where access requested | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
15 | Extension of time limits | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator Senior ATIP Advisor |
17 | Language of access and Access to personal information in alternative format | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
18 | Exemption (exempt bank) – disclosure may be refused. | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
19 | Exemption – Personal information obtained in confidence and Where authorized to disclose | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
20 | Exemption – Federal-provincial affairs | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
21 | Exemption – International affairs and defence | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
22 | Exemption – Law enforcement and investigation and Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
23 | Exemption – Security clearances | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
24 | Exemption – Individuals sentenced for an offence | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
25 | Exemption – Safety of individuals | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
26 | Exemption – Information about another individual | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
27 | Exemption – Solicitor-client privilege | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
28 | Exemption – Medical record | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
31 | Notice of intention to investigate of the Privacy Commissioner | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
33 | Right to make representation | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
35 | Notice of actions to implement recommendations of the Privacy Commissioner and Access to be given | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
36 | Notice of actions to implement recommendations of Commissioner concerning exempt banks | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
37 | Notice of actions to implement recommendations of Commissioner concerning compliance with sections 4 to 8 | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
51 | Special rules for hearings and Ex parte representations | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
72 | Report to Parliament | Assistant Commissioner, Corporate Services ATIP Coordinator |
Appendix B: Statistical Report on the Privacy Act
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Reporting period: 2019-04-01 to 2020-03-31
Section 1: Requests under the Privacy Act
Number of Requests | |
---|---|
Received during reporting period | 0 |
Outstanding from previous reporting period | 0 |
Total | 0 |
Closed during reporting period | 0 |
Carried over to next reporting period | 0 |
Secton 2: Requests Closed During the Reporting Period
Disposition of Requests | Completion Time | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 Days | 16 to 30 Days | 31 to 60 Days | 61 to 120 Days | 121 to 180 Days | 181 to 365 Days | More Than 365 Days | Total | |
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No records exist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Neither confirmed nor denied | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section | Number of Requests |
---|---|
18(2) | 0 |
19(1)(a) | 0 |
19(1)(b) | 0 |
19(1)(c) | 0 |
19(1)(d) | 0 |
19(1)(e) | 0 |
19(1)(f) | 0 |
20 | 0 |
21 | 0 |
22(1)(a)(i) | 0 |
22(1)(a)(ii) | 0 |
22(1)(a)(iii) | 0 |
22(1)(b) | 0 |
22(1)(c) | 0 |
22(2) | 0 |
22.1 | 0 |
22.2 | 0 |
22.3 | 0 |
22.4 | 0 |
23(a) | 0 |
23(b) | 0 |
24(a) | 0 |
24(b) | 0 |
25 | 0 |
26 | 0 |
27 | 0 |
27.1 | 0 |
28 | 0 |
Section | Number of Requests |
---|---|
69(1)(a) | 0 |
69(1)(b) | 0 |
69.1 | 0 |
70(1) | 0 |
70(1)(a) | 0 |
70(1)(b) | 0 |
70(1)(c) | 0 |
70(1)(d) | 0 |
70(1)(e) | 0 |
70(1)(f) | 0 |
70.1 | 0 |
Paper | Electronic | Other |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
2.5 Complexity
Number of Pages Processed | Number of Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
Disposition | Less Than 100 Pages Processed |
101-500 Pages Processed |
501-1000 Pages Processed |
1001-5000 Pages Processed |
More Than 5000 Pages Processed |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | |
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Neither confirmed nor denied | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disposition | Consultation Required | Legal Advice Sought | Interwoven Information | Other | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Neither confirmed nor denied | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.6 Closed requests
Requests closed within legislated timelines | |
---|---|
Number of requests closed within legislated timelines | 0 |
Percentage of requests closed within legislated timelines (%) | 0 |
2.7 Deemed refusals
Number of Requests Closed Past the Legislated Timelines | Principal Reason | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Interference with Operations / Workload | External Consultation | Internal Consultation | Other | |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Number of Days Past Legislated Timelines | Number of Requests Past Legislated Timeline Where No Extension Was Taken | Number of Requests Past Legislated Timelines Where an Extension Was Taken | Total |
---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
31 to 60 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
61 to 120 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
121 to 180 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
181 to 365 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
More than 365 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Translation Requests | Accepted | Refused | Total |
---|---|---|---|
English to French | 0 | 0 | 0 |
French to English | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section 3: Disclosures under subsections 8(2) and 8(5)
Paragraph 8(2)(e) | Paragraph 8(2)(m) | Subsection 8(5) | Total |
---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section 4: Requests for Correction of Personal Information and Notations
Disposition for Correction Requests Received | Number |
---|---|
Notations attached | 0 |
Requests for correction accepted | 0 |
Total | 0 |
Section 5: Extensions
Number of requests where an extension was taken | 15(a)(i) Interference with operations | 15 (a)(ii) Consultation | 15(b) Translation purposes or conversion | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Further review required to determine exemptions | Large volume of pages | Large volume of requests | Documents are difficult to obtain | Cabinet Confidence Section (Section 70) | External | Internal | ||
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Length of extensions | 15(a)(i) Interference with operations | 15 (a)(ii) Consultation | 15(b) Translation purposes or conversion | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Further review required to determine exemptions | Large volume of pages | Large volume of requests | Documents are difficult to obtain | Cabinet Confidence Section (Section 70) | External | Internal | ||
1 to 15 days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
31 days or greater | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section 6: Consultations Received From Other Institutions and Organizations
Consultations | Other Government of Canada Institutions | Number of Pages to Review | Other Organizations | Number of Pages to Review |
---|---|---|---|---|
Received during the reporting period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Outstanding from the previous reporting period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Closed during the reporting period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Carried over the next reporting period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recommendation | Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 Days | 16 to 30 Days | 31 to 60 Days | 61 to 120 Days | 121 to 180 Days | 181 to 365 Days | More Than 365 Days | Total | |
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Consult other institution | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recommendation | Number of days required to complete consultation requests | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 Days | 16 to 30 Days | 31 to 60 Days | 61 to 120 Days | 121 to 180 Days | 181 to 365 Days | More Than 365 Days | Total | |
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Consult other institution | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section 7: Completion Time of Consultations on Cabinet Confidences
Number of Days | Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed | 101-500 Pages Processed | 501-1000 Pages Processed | 1001-5000 Pages Processed | More than 5000 Pages Processed | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | |
1 to 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
31 to 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
61 to 120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
121 to 180 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
181 to 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
More than 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Number of Days | Fewer Than 100 Pages Processed | 101-500 Pages Processed | 501-1000 Pages Processed | 1001-5000 Pages Processed | More than 5000 Pages Processed | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed | |
1 to 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
31 to 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
61 to 120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
121 to 180 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
181 to 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
More than 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section 8: Complaints and Investigations Notices Received
Section 31 | Section 33 | Section 35 | Court action | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section 9: Privacy Impact Assessments (PIA) and Personal Information Banks (PIB)
Number of PIA(s) completed | 0 |
---|
Personal Information Banks | Active | Created | Terminated | Modified |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Section 10: Material Privacy Breaches
Number of material privacy breaches reported to TBS | 0 |
---|---|
Number of material privacy breaches reported to OPC | 0 |
Section 11: Resources Related to the Privacy Act
Expenditures | Amount | |
---|---|---|
Salaries | $0 | |
Overtime | $0 | |
Goods and Services | ||
Professional services contract |
$39,612 | |
Other |
$0 | |
Total | $39,612 |
Resources | Person Years Dedicated to Privacy Activities |
---|---|
Full-time employees | 0.00 |
Part-time and casual employees | 0.00 |
Regional staff | 0.00 |
Consultants and agency personnel | 0.33 |
Students | 0.00 |
Total | 0.33 |
Note: Enter value to two decimal places.
Appendix C: Additional Reporting requirements
Completed Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs):
Institution | Number of Completed PIAs |
---|---|
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada | 0 |
Note (correction)
Annual Privacy Report (2018-19)
6. Policies, Guidelines, Procedures and Initiatives
FCAC did not implement any new or revised institution-specific Privacy-related policies, etc.
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