NWT's ATIPP covers territorial public bodies, while HIA applies to health custodians. The NWT Information and Privacy Commissioner oversees both.
This page provides legal information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified privacy lawyer or CIPP/C-accredited privacy professional before taking action on access requests, breach response, complaints to a Privacy Commissioner, or Federal Court applications.
Last verified: September 2026
TL;DR
In the NWT, PIPEDA covers private-sector privacy. The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP) covers the territorial government and public bodies. The Health Information Act (HIA) covers health custodians. Complaints go to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the NWT.
Statutes in the NWT
The NWT framework combines federal and territorial law:
PIPEDA for private-sector organizations.
ATIPP NWT for the Government of the Northwest Territories and public bodies.
Health Information Act for health custodians including the NWT Health and Social Services Authority.
The Commissioner's role
The NWT Information and Privacy Commissioner investigates complaints under ATIPP and HIA. Since the 2021 amendments the Commissioner can issue binding orders under ATIPP (subject to appeal to the Supreme Court of the NWT); under HIA the Commissioner makes recommendations. Nunavut has its own separate Commissioner.