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Alberta

Search committee makes recommendation on new Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner

May 18, 2022 | 6:22 PM

Officials with the Alberta government say the Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search Committee is recommending the appointment of Diane McLeod as Alberta’s Information and Privacy Commissioner.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta that protects and promotes the access and privacy rights of all Albertans. The office aims to provide an independent review and resolution of decisions made by public bodies, health custodians and organizations in response to access to information requests under Alberta’s three access and privacy laws: the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Health Information Act and Personal Information Protection Act.

The office investigates privacy complaints regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of personal or health information and any matter relating to the application of the Acts, regardless of whether a review is requested.

“Ms. McLeod brings substantial experience to the role most recently as the Yukon Ombudsman and Information and Privacy Commissioner since June 2013,” said Jordan Walker, MLA for Sherwood Park and search committee chair. “Her advocacy of and commitment to the protection of privacy throughout her career will be invaluable to her success in the position.”

Prior to her integral role in the Yukon Territory, McLeod worked as Director of the Personal Information Protection Act for the Privacy Commissioner of Alberta. She spent several years at the Calgary Health Region responsible for Legal Services and Information and Privacy and also worked as a privacy and security consultant for the Government of British Columbia in 2004. She obtained her law degree from the University of Victoria in 2009 and focused her practice on advising the private, public and health sectors on their responsibilities for compliance with privacy legislation.

The Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search Committee is expected to table its report with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on May 24 recommending the appointment of Ms. McLeod to the position of Information and Privacy Commissioner effective August 1, 2022.