Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador is an independent statutory office that investigates access to information and privacy complaints, oversees public bodies and health information custodians under ATIPPA, 2015 and PHIA, and publishes guidance and education resources to the public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSt. John's, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner does
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) for Newfoundland and Labrador is an independent statutory office of the provincial House of Assembly, established when the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA) was passed in 2002. Its access provisions came into force on January 17, 2005 and privacy provisions on January 16, 2008, with the framework comprehensively refreshed by ATIPPA, 2015 (effective June 1, 2015). OIPC exercises oversight over all public bodies and custodians within Newfoundland and Labrador under ATIPPA, 2015 and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), with the Commissioner holding powers to enter premises, compel document production, and file recommendations enforceable as orders of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Kerry R. Hatfield was appointed as Commissioner effective December 5, 2024.
OIPC's service offering centers on independent complaint investigation and resolution, privacy breach reporting and review, audits of public bodies and custodians, comment on privacy impact assessments, and public education. It publishes guidance documents, the Above Board and Safeguard newsletters, youth privacy educational resources, podcasts, and operates self-service online tools including an Estimated Response Time Calculator and an Access to Information Complaint Checker. The office uses its official website, YouTube, Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, and a podcast series for public outreach, and participates in the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Information and Privacy Regulators network, the Global Privacy Assembly, and the International Conference of Information Commissioners for interjurisdictional coordination.
OIPC does not operate a commercial business model. It is funded entirely through provincial government appropriations as part of the Newfoundland and Labrador budget, and provides all services to the public, public bodies, and custodians free of charge. The organization does not develop proprietary technology platforms; its digital footprint consists of standard web-based tools for complaint intake, document publication, and public education. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees, consistent with a small provincial regulatory office.
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
- Legal name
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Newfoundland and Labrador
- Website
- https://oipc.nl.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador is an independent statutory office that investigates access to information and privacy complaints, oversees public bodies and health information custodians under ATIPPA, 2015 and PHIA, and publishes guidance and education resources to the public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Privacy and Information Access Regulation
- NAICS
- Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)
- akta.pro industry
- Health Data Privacy, Security & Interoperability RegulatorsHealthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Health Policy, Regulation & Compliance AuthoritiesPublic Health Data Governance, Privacy & Information ManagementHealthcare & Life Sciences/Public Health, Government & Regulators/Public Health Policy & Administration
Keywords
Where Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St. John's
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding: The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is an independent statutory office of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is funded through public appropriations as part of the provincial government's budget. There is no commercial revenue generation.
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is an independent statutory office that oversees compliance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015) and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) in Newfoundland and Labrador. It investigates and resolves access to information and privacy complaints, conducts public body and custodian audits, reviews privacy impact assessments, and issues binding recommendations enforceable through the Supreme Court. It also publishes guidance documents, newsletters, and educational resources, and provides two online self-service tools (Estimated Response Time Calculator and Access to Information Complaint Checker).
Product overview
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is a regulatory oversight body, not a technology product company. Its services consist of complaint investigation and resolution, privacy breach reporting and review, policy guidance, and educational resources. The primary 'products' are: (1) complaint handling services under ATIPPA, 2015 and PHIA through formal forms; (2) online self-service tools including the Estimated Response Time Calculator and Access to Information Complaint Checker; (3) guidance documents and publications including the Above Board and Safeguard newsletters; and (4) youth privacy educational resources. The organization does not offer a software product platform but rather regulatory oversight services, forms, and informational tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Access to Information and Privacy Complaint Investigation Service Independent investigation and resolution of complaints about access to information and protection of privacy involving public bodies under ATIPPA, 2015 and custodians of personal health information under PHIA. The Commissioner may issue recommendations enforceable through the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Public Body and Custodian Audits and Privacy Impact Assessment Review Audit and review services for public bodies under ATIPPA, 2015 and custodians under PHIA, including privacy impact assessment review, privacy management program review, and compliance evaluations.
- Estimated Response Time Calculator An online calculator tool that helps determine the latest date by when a public body must respond to an access to information or correction of personal information request, accounting for business days and holidays. Available to the public on the OIPC website.
- Access to Information Complaint Checker An interactive online tool that helps individuals determine if their complaint about a response to an access to information request falls within the jurisdiction of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
- ATIPPA, 2015 Complaint and Request Forms Official complaint and request forms for access to information and protection of privacy matters under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015.
- PHIA Complaint and Request Forms Official complaint and request forms for access to and protection of personal health information under the Personal Health Information Act.
- Above Board Newsletter A newsletter highlighting access to information and privacy topics under ATIPPA, 2015, aimed at engaging public bodies and custodians.
- Safeguard Newsletter A newsletter highlighting privacy topics under the Personal Health Information Act, aimed at engaging custodians and health sector organizations.
- ATIPPA, 2015 Guidance Documents Administrative guidance documents to help public bodies comply with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015.
- PHIA Guidance Documents Administrative guidance documents to help custodians comply with the Personal Health Information Act.
- Youth Privacy Education Resources Privacy education resources including lesson plans, activity sheets, online activities, and additional resources for teachers, students, and parents to foster privacy awareness among children and youth.
Quantifiable outcome
- The Commissioner may file recommendations with the Supreme Court General Division and such an order is enforceable against a public body as if it were an order or judgment of the Court.
Companies that use Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Information and Privacy RegulatorscoreOIPC NL collaborates with counterparts across Canada on joint resolutions and statements addressing access and privacy issues. In 2025, FPT regulators issued joint statements on misinformation and democracy, and on protecting children's privacy through responsible use of educational technologies. In 2024, joint statements addressed intimate partner violence information-sharing and privacy-related deceptive design patterns.
- Global Privacy Assembly (GPA)majorOIPC NL participates in the Global Privacy Assembly, an international network of privacy regulators. Adopted resolutions from the GPA are available on the GPA website.
- International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC)majorOIPC NL participates in the International Conference of Information Commissioners, an international body focused on access to information. Declarations and resolutions are available on the ICIC website.
- ATIPP Office (Provincial Government)coreThe ATIPP Office, as part of Executive Council, is responsible for the overall administration and coordination of ATIPPA, 2015 legislation, distinct from the Commissioner's role as independent review mechanism. OIPC collaborates with the ATIPP Office in the overall access and privacy ecosystem of the province.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Manitoba: Manitoba's access and privacy oversight function (operating within the Ombudsman framework). Provides a peer model for how smaller provinces deliver information and privacy oversight alongside other ombudsman functions.
- Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec: Québec's provincial access to information commissioner enforcing access and privacy legislation. Operates as a French-language counterpart to OIPC NL with a structurally similar oversight mandate.
- New Brunswick Information and Privacy Commissioner: New Brunswick's provincial information and privacy oversight (delivered through the Office of the Ombudsman). Comparable to OIPC NL in being a smaller-population Atlantic province regulator with combined access, privacy, and health information functions.
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta: Provincial information and privacy commissioner in Alberta with parallel statutory mandate under Alberta's FOIP Act and Health Information Act. Closest structural peer to OIPC NL given equivalent oversight scope and authority over access, privacy, and health information.
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan's provincial IPC enforcing The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and The Health Information Protection Act. Direct peer to OIPC NL with similar provincial scope and dual access/health information mandate.
- Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario: Ontario's IPC oversees access and privacy under FIPPA/MFIPPA and personal health information under PHIPA. Directly comparable in mandate to OIPC NL, with significantly larger scale and broader guidance output.
- Nova Scotia Information and Privacy Commissioner: Nova Scotia's provincial review officer for access and privacy under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Personal Health Information Act. Direct counterpart to OIPC NL with a near-identical statutory structure.
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia: Provincial IPC overseeing access and privacy under BC's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and E-Health (Personal Health Information Access and Protection of Privacy) Act. A directly comparable provincial regulator with a longer track record and broader policy output.
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Prince Edward Island: Prince Edward Island's provincial privacy commissioner. Smallest-population direct peer to OIPC NL, useful as a benchmark for capacity and resourcing in the smallest provincial privacy offices.
Broad incumbents
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: Federal privacy regulator overseeing the Privacy Act and PIPEDA across all provinces. A larger incumbent in the same information and privacy regulatory space, with broader jurisdiction and substantially more resources than any provincial commissioner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner social profiles
Digital presenceOffice of the Information and Privacy Commissioner financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
What does Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner do?
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is an independent statutory office that oversees compliance with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015) and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) in Newfoundland and Labrador. It investigates and resolves access to information and privacy complaints, conducts public body and custodian audits, reviews privacy impact assessments, and issues binding recommendations enforceable through the Supreme Court. It also publishes guidance documents, newsletters, and educational resources, and provides two online self-service tools (Estimated Response Time Calculator and Access to Information Complaint Checker).
Is Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner a public or private company?
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner founded?
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner based?
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is headquartered in St. John's, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Manitoba, Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec, New Brunswick Information and Privacy Commissioner, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Nova Scotia Information and Privacy Commissioner, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia and Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Prince Edward Island. Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner have an API?
No public API is recorded for Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
What industry is Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner in?
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's product category is Privacy and Information Access Regulation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAJACAE, Health Data Privacy, Security & Interoperability Regulators, with a secondary code of HLAJAMAI, Public Health Data Governance, Privacy & Information Management. Its NAICS code is 92615.