What’s New – Know Your Rights to Access Your Personal Information

On January 1, 2020, new sections of the provincial child welfare legislation came into force in relation to the collection, use and disclosure of a person’s private information by service providers who offer services under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, R.S.O. 2017. The new Part X of the CYFSA provides for permitted use of your personal information.

As a service provider, Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services ensures the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information it collects, uses and discloses. If you wish to access your personal information this can be done in writing directly to KGCFS. In some situations, the Act allows for exceptions to accessing information in limited circumstances. If you are working with someone in our agency, you may wish to speak with them directly about how to access your information.

If you believe our agency has information about you, you have a right to ask to see a copy of the personal information in your file; ask for corrections to wrong or missing information in your file; know if your personal information is lost, shared, stolen or unauthorized viewing or use, and make a complaint to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. KGCFS will need to verify your identity to process your request.

For more information, contact the KGCFS Privacy Designate:

privacyofficer@kgcfs.org or by phone at 705-370-2100 or toll-free at 1-800-268-1899.

There are situations when a service provider requires consent for collection, use and sharing of your personal information. If you believe KGCFS has not handled your personal information as it should under the CYFSA or has declined your request to see your personal information and you disagree, you have a right to complain to the Information Privacy Commissioner of Ontario www.ipc.on.ca