CanadaCan a company refuse to let me see what personal information they have about me?
No, a company generally cannot refuse your request to see your personal information — under PIPEDA, you have a legal right to access it.
What the Law Says
Canada’s federal privacy law for the private sector gives individuals the right to access their personal information held by organizations.
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) applies to private-sector businesses across Canada that collect, use, or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities. Under section 12, you may formally request access to your personal information held by such an organization.
Organizations must respond to your request within 30 days. They may extend this deadline by up to 30 more days if necessary — but only if they notify you in writing before the initial 30-day period ends and explain the reasons for the delay.
In most cases, access must be provided free of charge. A reasonable fee may be charged only if processing the request requires significant effort — and even then, the organization must first inform you of the approximate cost and obtain your consent.
Statutory TextAn individual may request access to their personal information held by an organization.
— Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act s. 12: Right of access — S.C. 2000, c. 5
What to Do
Make your request in writing (email or letter), clearly identifying yourself and specifying the information you want.
Keep a copy of your request and note the date you sent it.
If the organization doesn’t respond within 30 days (or doesn’t justify a delay), contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC).
If your request is refused or you’re unsatisfied with the response, you can file a formal complaint with the OPC within 6 months.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.