New legislation aimed at protecting personal information in Alberta has officially come into force, with the provincial government calling it the strongest public-sector privacy framework in the country.

The Protection of Privacy Act, passed in December 2024 and effective as of June 11, sets new legal standards for how personal information must be handled by public bodies.

According to a June 12 news release, the act and its supporting regulations bring in clear rules, tougher penalties for violations and mandatory practices that put privacy at the heart of public programs and services.

“Albertans have told us that their privacy is important. We listened and took action,” said Nate Glubish, minister of technology and innovation. “We brought in the strongest public sector privacy protections and the strictest penalties in Canada.”

The act makes it mandatory for public bodies to embed privacy protection into the design of their services and adopt formal privacy management programs. Under the new regulations, these programs must meet specific standards by spring 2026. Alberta’s government says the goal is to build trust and accountability while ensuring responsible use and sharing of personal information.

To support these changes, resources including training, templates and detailed guidance are now available on Alberta.ca. A dedicated website outlines which services and processes will be affected.

The government says the act includes practical updates. These include clarifying that collection notices don’t need to be repeated when collecting the same information for the same reason and allowing Albertans to contact public bodies by email.

Public bodies will also have a clear legal framework for sharing information to provide integrated services, which could improve responsiveness during emergencies or when coordinating supports.

Regular reviews of the act will be required to ensure it remains up to date.

More information about Albertans’ updated privacy rights and how public bodies can comply is available on the Protection of Privacy Act page at Alberta.ca.