FOI Assist Seminar Series: Privacy Impact Assessments — A Practical Introduction

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The FOI Assist Seminar Series (2026) continues this month with Seminar #6: Privacy Impact Assessments — A Practical Introduction — a free, practical training session designed specifically for Ontario’s provincial and municipal institutions.

This seminar series is available exclusively to FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers.

Current subscribers can access the registration link for Seminar #6 through the subscriber-only Knowledge Base post.

If you are not yet a subscriber, you can still join! Subscribing to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base is free and gives you access to:

• The full FOI Assist Knowledge Base
• Ongoing FOI and privacy updates and practical guidance
• Registration links for the 2026 seminar series
• Future seminar announcements delivered directly to your inbox

To subscribe to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base, enter your email below and click Subscribe.

Seminar #6: Privacy Impact Assessments — A Practical Introduction

Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern (Toronto Time)
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Live online seminar (Zoom)

Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) are becoming an increasingly important responsibility for Ontario’s public-sector institutions.

As of July 1, 2025, PIAs became an express legislative requirement under Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Beginning January 1, 2027, the same requirement will apply to municipal institutions under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

Institutions are required to prepare a written Privacy Impact Assessment before collecting personal information and to update the assessment before making significant changes to the purpose for which personal information is used or disclosed.

But what exactly is a PIA, when is one required, and how can institutions get started?

This seminar will provide a practical introduction to Privacy Impact Assessments, with a particular focus on Ontario’s new legislative requirements and the latest guidance and resources from the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPCO).

The session will cover:

• What a Privacy Impact Assessment is and why it is important
• Ontario’s new legislative requirements for PIAs under FIPPA and MFIPPA
• When a PIA is required and when an existing PIA must be updated
• The mandatory elements of a PIA under Ontario law
• How to use the IPCO’s Planning for Success PIA Guide and accompanying worksheets
• Practical tips for identifying privacy risks and developing appropriate mitigation strategies

This introductory session is primarily intended for provincial and municipal staff, employees of universities, colleges, school boards, hospitals, police services, provincial agencies, boards and commissions, and privacy and FOI professionals at other Ontario public-sector institutions seeking a practical understanding of PIAs and how to prepare them in accordance with Ontario law.

Participants will also receive:

• A short post-session quiz
• An individualized Certificate of Completion for participants who attend and pass, or an individualized Certificate of Attendance
• Credit toward the FOI Practitioner Certificate — FOI Assist Seminar Series (2026), awarded to participants who complete five or more seminars during the year

This session will be recorded and may be made available to registrants, FOI Assist clients, or other viewers after the event.

How to Register

Registration is reserved for FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers.

• Current subscribers: The registration link is available in the subscriber-only Knowledge Base post.
• Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base for free to gain access to the registration link and future seminar announcements.

To subscribe to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base, enter your email in the subscription box above and click Subscribe.

Previous FOI Assist seminars have reached capacity, so early registration is recommended.

If you are interested in learning more about how FOI Assist can support your institution’s freedom of information and privacy programs, you are also welcome to request a demonstration of the FOI Assist software and/or PIA Maker, our upcoming Privacy Impact Assessment solution.

I look forward to seeing you!

Justin Petrillo
President & Founder
FOI Assist Corporation