The Métis Nation of Ontario
Privacy Policy

Overview

MNO and its associated entities collect, use and disclose personal information on Métis citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Some examples of where personal information is collected and used include the following:

• distribution of the Voyageur newspaper,
• voters lists,
• enrollment,
• Harvesters Cards,
• provision of training initiatives, programs and services
• housing services,
• provision of Long-Term Care services, and
• for many other purposes.

As of January 1st 2004 a federal law came into force that sets out legal requirements for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by provincially regulated entities. This law already applies to federally regulated entities. The law is called the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, usually now known as PIPEDA.

The new privacy law, PIPEDA, will affect MNO and its associated entities. This backgrounder has been prepared for the MNO and its associated entities and provides information on the new legislation and about what steps MNO and its associated entities need to implement in order to fulfill legal duties pursuant to PIPEDA.

What the MNO Must Do

First, the MNO and all of its associated entities will have to formalize privacy practices and procedures. This will mean systematically examining practices and how personal information is used.

MNO is taking several steps to ensure that the interests of Métis are protected with respect to any new privacy legislation. The MNO plans to assist all of its associated entities with strengthening their privacy and confidentiality processes in the following ways:

• The MNO has prepared a Backgrounder on PIPEDA and is distributing it, as part of a comprehensive Privacy Package to its associated entities.
• Privacy - What MNO Must Do also sets out the basic steps that MNO entities will have to undertake in order to meet the requirements of PIPEDA.
• The MNO has prepared another document entitled The Ten Principles of PIPEDA. These include a brief explanation of each principle.
• The MNO has prepared a PIPEDA Compliance Checklist. This sets out the basic things that must be done to comply with the act.
• The MNO has prepared a PIPEDA - The Risks of Non-Compliance document. This document sets out the way individuals can seek remedies for failure to protect personal information. It also sets out the penalties for non-compliance.
• The MNO has created template documents. These documents include a template Privacy Code, a Privacy Statement and a Consent Form.

What MNO and its Associated Entities Must Do [PDF format]