A person works on a spreadsheet in a photo illustration made in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

By The Canadian Press

Federal privacy law changes would expand sharing of personal data across government

Apr 2, 2026 | 11:33 AM

OTTAWA — The Liberal government proposes making it easier for federal agencies to share and reuse the personal data of Canadians as part of a major overhaul of the Privacy Act.

The act governs how federal agencies collect, use and disclose personal information, and gives people the right to see and correct data the government holds about them.

In a new policy paper, the government proposes allowing federal agencies to reuse and share personal data with each other and with their provincial, territorial or municipal partners, without consent, if it improves services or programs.

The paper also suggests bolstering protection by recognizing privacy as a fundamental right and requiring an assessment when a federal program uses personal data to make a decision about someone.

The Privacy Act has not changed substantially since it took effect in 1983.

The government says comments and feedback on the policy approaches will be collected through an online submission form until July 10.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press