January 28th is recognized as Data Privacy Day in Canada and countries around the world. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) has announced the theme for Data Privacy Day 2026 as “prioritize privacy by design”.
From cyber incidents and ransomware to AI deployment and cross-border data flows, organizations are under unprecedented scrutiny from regulators, customers, and counterparties. Privacy is no longer just about compliance; it’s about trust, resilience, and deal value. Data Privacy Day allows organizations to reflect on how they handle personal information and emphasize privacy from the outset to build trust with Canadians.
Here are some important privacy practices for your business:
- Create an incident response plan for cyber attacks
- Limit collection of personal information to what is needed and provide options to limit collection to what is necessary for site functionality
- Communicate your security and data handling expectations clearly with service providers, contractors and users
- Review digital and physical records to find weak spots in systems and processes
- Provide training to all employees on protecting personal information
The Main Takeaway: Strong privacy programs aren’t defensive, they’re strategic. The organizations that get this right move faster, negotiate better, and withstand scrutiny when it matters most. Data Privacy Day is a reminder to build privacy into how you operate.
This resource is not intended to be a statement of the law and does not constitute legal advice. This resource is for information purposes only, no person should act or rely upon this information without seeking legal advice.
