Want to know what a company knows about you? Canadian privacy law gives you the right to ask. Here is how.

Under the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), you can ask most private businesses in Ontario for access to the personal information they hold about you.
Write to the company's privacy officer, describe what you want, and keep a copy. The company generally must respond within 30 days, and can charge only a minimal fee, if any. If it refuses or doesn't answer, you can complain to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Some information may be withheld, such as other people's information, legally privileged material, or confidential business information.
If information is wrong, you can ask for it to be corrected.
Provincial and municipal bodies are covered by Ontario's freedom of information laws instead.
Need help with a consumer dispute? NEO can help you write a demand letter, or bring or defend a claim in Small Claims Court. Call 647-200-3526 or toll-free 888-519-2435, email info@neolegalservices.com, or book a free consultation.
Read next: A Company Lost Your Data: What to Do After a Data Breach
General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 16 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.
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This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.
Not sure where you stand? A licensed paralegal can look at your documents and tell you your options.
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