Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA)
The Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) is Canada’s proposed federal privacy law designed to modernize personal data protections, enhance individual rights, and strengthen accountability for organizations handling consumer information.
What is the Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA)?
The Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) is part of Bill C-27, which aims to replace Canada’s existing Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). It introduces stricter requirements for transparency, consent, and individual control over personal data.
If enacted, the CPPA would align Canada’s privacy framework more closely with international standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).
The legislation also proposes the creation of a new regulatory authority—the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal—to enforce compliance and issue significant penalties for violations.
Why the Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) matters
The CPPA represents a major step forward in strengthening privacy protections for Canadians in the digital age. It introduces modern rights such as data mobility, algorithmic transparency, and the right to disposal.
For organizations, it increases accountability by requiring robust privacy management programs, risk assessments, and clear evidence of consent for data collection and processing.
The CPPA also supports interoperability with frameworks like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), helping multinational companies streamline compliance efforts across regions.
How the Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) is used in practice
- Establishing privacy management programs to document compliance obligations
- Implementing consent mechanisms that are explicit and easy to withdraw
- Maintaining transparency over automated decision-making systems and algorithms
- Responding to data subject requests, including the right to deletion and data mobility
- Aligning privacy operations with global frameworks like the GDPR and CPRA
- Preparing for enhanced enforcement through the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)
Related laws & standards
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)
- ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management)
- Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA)
How OneTrust helps with CPPA compliance
OneTrust helps organizations prepare for compliance with the Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA) by automating consent management, privacy impact assessments, and reporting. The platform enables companies to operationalize compliance programs, manage data subject requests, and demonstrate accountability under Canada’s evolving privacy landscape.
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FAQs about the Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA)
The CPPA grants new rights, including data mobility, the right to disposal, and greater transparency into how automated systems make decisions about individuals.
The CPPA will be enforced by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC), with penalties adjudicated by the new Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal.
While modeled after the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the CPPA is tailored to Canada’s federal system, emphasizing accountability frameworks, algorithmic transparency, and flexible compliance programs over prescriptive rules.
