Patient Privacy in Alberta
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Your health information is protected at both the federal level (PIPEDA) and by provincial health privacy laws. Most provinces have dedicated health privacy statutes, such as Ontario's PHIPA, Alberta's HIA, and Saskatchewan's HIPA.
The key principles are:
- Only collect, use, and disclose what is necessary
- Require your knowledge and consent (with limited exceptions like public health reporting)
- Keep your data secure
- Retain records only as long as needed
You have the right to access your own medical records — providers must typically respond within 30 days. You can also request corrections to errors in your file and file complaints with the privacy commissioner if your information is improperly disclosed.
When does it apply?
- Every patient whose health information is collected by healthcare providers, hospitals, pharmacies, or labs.
What to Do If Your Medical Information Is Shared Without Your Consent in Canada
- Request your medical records in writing — the provider must respond within approximately 30 days.
- Ask who has access to your health information and why.
- Request corrections if you find errors in your medical records.
- File a complaint with the provincial privacy commissioner if your health information is disclosed without your consent.
- Use patient portals where available to monitor who is accessing your records.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't assume providers automatically share records — there is no single national electronic health record system in Canada.
- Don't ignore breach notifications — if a provider tells you your data was compromised, take it seriously and follow up.
- Don't share your health card number casually — it can be used for identity fraud.
- Don't assume your employer can access your full medical details — they are only entitled to fit-for-duty information, not your diagnosis or treatment specifics.
How Alberta differs from federal law
Patient privacy in Alberta is protected by the Health Information Act (HIA), RSA 2000, c. H-5. Alberta was one of the first provinces to enact comprehensive health privacy legislation.
- The HIA governs how custodians (health care providers, hospitals, Alberta Health Services, pharmacies, nursing homes, etc.) collect, use, and disclose your health information.
- Your health information can only be collected, used, or disclosed for authorized purposes — primarily to provide health care, manage the health system, or with your consent.
- You have the right to access your own health records. Custodians must respond to your access request within 30 days (extendable to 60 days in some circumstances).
- You have the right to request corrections to your health information if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
- You can make an express request to restrict who can access your health information in certain circumstances (for example, restricting access through Alberta's electronic health record system, Netcare).
- Breaches of health information privacy must be reported to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC).
Additional Steps in Alberta
To access your health records, submit a written request to the custodian (your doctor, hospital, AHS, etc.). You can also access parts of your health information through MyHealth Records (myhealth.alberta.ca). If you believe your health information was improperly disclosed, file a complaint or request a review by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner at 780-422-6860 or oipc.ab.ca. Complaints must be filed within 1 year of the alleged breach.
Relevant Law: Health Information Act, RSA 2000, c. H-5; Health Information Regulation, Alta. Reg. 70/2001
Common Questions
When does patient privacy apply?
Every patient whose health information is collected by healthcare providers, hospitals, pharmacies, or labs.
What should I do if my health information in Canada was disclosed without my permission?
Request your medical records in writing — the provider must respond within approximately 30 days.Ask who has access to your health information and why.Request corrections if you find errors in your medical records.File a complaint with the provincial privacy commissioner if your health information is disclosed without your consent.Use patient portals where available to monitor who is accessing your records.
What mistakes should I avoid with patient privacy?
Don't assume providers automatically share records — there is no single national electronic health record system in Canada.Don't ignore breach notifications — if a provider tells you your data was compromised, take it seriously and follow up.Don't share your health card number casually — it can be used for identity fraud.Don't assume your employer can access your full medical details — they are only entitled to fit-for-duty information, not your diagnosis or treatment specifics.
Patient Privacy in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.