Manitoba government launches review of two pieces of privacy legislation

The Government of Manitoba announced on Wednesday that it is reviewing two pieces of privacy legislation: the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

The government is inviting residents to provide input on two pieces of privacy legislation, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen and Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Rochelle Squires said in a press release.

“The review of the Personal Health Information Act will help ensure Manitoba is getting the balance right between respecting personal health information and ensuring patient needs are being met,” Goertzen said in the release. “Patient and family experience will be an important part of the review and we look forward to hearing from Manitobans.”

PHIA came into force in 1997, with major amendments in 2010 and 2011, the provincial government reported. The legislation provides a right of access for an individual to their personal health information and protects this information by setting rules for the collection, use, disclosure, security and destruction of this information by public bodies and healthcare providers.

FIPPA came into force one year after PHIA (in 1998) and was significantly amended in 2011. The legislation provides a right of access to information in records held by public bodies and also protects personal information by setting rules for the collection, use and disclosure by public bodies.

Legislation in Manitoba calls for the two regulations to undergo regular reviews. The last review of PHIA and FIPPA was undertaken in 2004.

“Much has changed since the last review as technology has advanced and social media has progressed,” Squires noted. “We want to hear from the public to ensure these pieces of legislation continue to be effective and serve the needs of all citizens of our province.”

Public consultations will begin on March 31 and remain open until May 31.

To review information about, and possible issues related to, PHIA and to share ideas or concerns, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/phia/review.html. For FIPPA, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fippareview.

For PHIA, written submissions and questions may be sent by email to: PHIAreview@gov.mb.ca, by fax to (204) 945-1020 or by mail to: PHIA Review, Legislative Unit, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living, Main Floor, 300 Carlton St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 3M9. Written submissions and questions for FIPPA may be sent by email to FIPPAreview@gov.mb.ca, by fax to (204) 948-2008 or by mail to: FIPPA Review, Information and Privacy Policy Secretariat, Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, 130–200 Vaughan St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 1T5.