The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) answers public inquires and investigates complaints. It also conducts audits of privacy policies and practices, conducts research and develops guidelines and best practices, and engages in education and outreach.
The OPC’s mission is to protect and promote the privacy rights of individuals. They are mandated to investigate applicable complaints under PIPEDA to determine whether privacy rights have been contravened. The OPC has broad investigative powers. An OPC investigation can establish whether an individual’s privacy rights have been breached or whether an individual’s request for access to their personal information was not granted – these are both common causes of complaints to the OPC. It can issue subpoenas and compel testimony.
Learn more on the OPC website: https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/
