What is the regulatory framework governing the exceptions to consent in Quebec?
In Quebec, few laws authorize the use of personal information for research purposes, without necessarily obtaining the consent of the individuals concerned: • An Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information; • An Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector; • An Act respecting health services and social services. The conditions provided in these acts are: that the use of the information will not be frivolous, that research cannot be done with anonymous data and that confidentiality will be protected. This use must be authorized, either by the Commission d’accès à l’information or by the Director of professional services of a Quebec health care establishment.
