PRIVACY AND YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
The Canadian Mental Health Association, North Bay and District recognizes the importance of privacy and the sensitivity of clients’ personal health information and other personal information (Client Information). The purpose of our Privacy Policy is to protect the privacy of CMHA North Bay and District clients and ensure that Client Information is collected, used, disclosed, retained and disposed of in a manner consistent with this policy, applicable laws and agreements.
CMHA North Bay and District has determined that it is a “Health Information Custodian” (HIC) under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), and will comply with its obligations as a Health Information Custodian under that act. CMHA North Bay and District provides services to children and youth and so also complies with its obligations under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
CMHA North Bay and District’s commitment to protecting Client Information is reflected in its policies and procedures, which are designed to follow the principles set out in the Canadian Standards Association’s Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information (Code). The Model Code is the basis for health information privacy legislation across Canada, including PHIPA.
The Code’s 10 Personal Information Protection principles are:
- Accountability: An organization is responsible for personal information under its control and shall designate an individual or individuals who are accountable for the organization’s compliance with the following principles.
- Identifying Purposes: The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be identified by the organization at or before the time the information is collected.
- Consent: The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use or disclosure of personal information, except when inappropriate.
- Limiting Collection: The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by the organization. Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.
- Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention: Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for fulfillment of those purposes.
- Accuracy: Personal information shall be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
- Safeguards: Personal information shall be protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
- Openness: An organization shall make readily available to individuals specific information about its policies and practices relating to the management of personal information.
- Individual Access: Upon request, an individual shall be informed of the existence, use and disclosure of his or her personal information and shall be given access to that information. An individual shall be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.
- Challenging Compliance: An individual shall be able to address a challenge concerning compliance with the above principles to the designated individual or individuals for the organization’s compliance.
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about the privacy of your personal health information or would like a copy of our Privacy Policy, please contact our Privacy Officer.
705-476-4088
Toll Free: 1-844-476-4088
Privacy Officer
Canadian Mental Health Association, North Bay and District
176 Main St. West
North Bay, ON P1B 2T5
If you have a privacy complaint and our Privacy Officer cannot resolve your concerns, you have the right to contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
Information and Privacy Commissioner
2 Bloor St. E., Suite 1400
Toronto, ON M4W 1A8
1-800-387-0073