Building a foundation of trust
Canadians increasingly rely on digital technology to connect with each other, to work and innovate. That’s why the Government of Canada is committed to making sure Canadians can benefit from the latest technologies, knowing that their privacy is safe and secure, and that companies are acting responsibly.
Canadians must be able to trust that their personal information and that of their children is protected, that their data will not be misused, and that organizations operating in this space communicate in a simple and straightforward manner with their users. This trust is the foundation on which our digital and data-driven economy will be built.
Canada’s Digital Charter sets out principles to ensure that privacy is protected, data-driven innovation is human-centred, and Canadian organizations can lead the world in innovations that fully embrace the benefits of the digital economy.
Bill C-27: Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022
In June 2022, the government proposed the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022 , which would modernize the framework for the protection of personal information in the private sector and introduce new rules for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). This legislation takes a number of important steps to ensure that Canadians have confidence that their privacy is respected and that AI is used responsibly, while unlocking innovation that promotes a strong economy, including:
- increasing control and transparency when Canadians’ personal information is handled by companies;
- giving Canadians the freedom to move their information from one organization to another in a secure manner;
- ensuring that when consent is withdrawn or information is no longer necessary, Canadians can demand that their information be destroyed;
- providing for the strongest fines among G7 privacy laws—with fines of up to 5% of revenue or $25 million, whichever is greater, for the most serious offences; and
- ensuring companies meet the highest standards of responsibility when developing and deploying AI systems in Canada.
The 10 principles of the Charter
1. Universal Access:
2. Safety and Security:
3. Control and Consent:
4. Transparency, Portability and Interoperability:
5. Open and Modern Digital Government:
6. A Level Playing Field:
7. Data and Digital for Good:
8. Strong Democracy:
9. Free from Hate and Violent Extremism:
10. Strong Enforcement and Real Accountability:
The Charter in action
What we heard during the National Digital and Data Consultations
Canada's Digital Charter is founded on ten principles that reflect what we have heard from Canadians, including during the National Digital and Data Consultations. Held between June and October 2018, the Consultations included 30 roundtable discussions hosted by Six Digital Innovation Leaders across the country, engaging with more than 550 Canadians. Through our website and online platforms, Canadians shared 1,900 ideas.