What is the regulatory framework governing confidentiality and genetic information in Canada?
• The federal Privacy Act provides rules for the collection, retention and disposal of personal information; it applies solely to federal government institutions. • The federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act sets rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities. • The Tri-Council Policy Statement (CIHR, SSHRC, NSERC, 1998) provides guidelines for the protection of privacy and confidentiality of genetic data in a research setting. • The CIHR Best Practices for Protecting Privacy in Health Research (CIHR, 2005) provides guidance in the interpretation of the Tri-Council Policy Statement. • Genetic Testing and Privacy (Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 1995) recommends protecting the confidentiality of genetic data.
• The federal Privacy Act (1983) provides rules for the collection, retention and disposal of personal information; it applies solely to federal government institutions. • The federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (2000) sets rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities. • The Tri-Council Policy Statement (CIHR, SSHRC, NSERC, 1998, 2000, 2005) provides guidelines for the protection of privacy and confidentiality of genetic data in a research setting. • The CIHR Best Practices for Protecting Privacy in Health Research (CIHR, 2005) provides guidance in the interpretation of the Tri-Council Policy Statement. • Genetic Testing and Privacy (Privacy Commissioner of Canada, 1995) recommends protecting the confidentiality of genetic data.
