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All of CanadaUpdated April 2026

The school shared my child's information without telling me.

What schools can and cannot disclose about students, and how to respond if you find out your child's information was shared improperly.

TL;DR

Public schools are covered by provincial privacy laws. They can disclose limited information without consent (e.g., to another school for transfer purposes) but broader disclosure usually requires consent. Ask the school's privacy officer for an explanation and file a complaint if unsatisfied.

What schools can share

Schools can typically share:

  • Required transfer information to another school your child is enrolling in.
  • Attendance or discipline information to authorized decision-makers.
  • Information required by provincial education statutes.
  • Information in emergencies where there is a risk of serious harm.

What schools cannot share

Without consent, schools generally cannot share grades, disciplinary records, or personal information with third parties (including ed-tech vendors) beyond what is necessary.

What to do

Write to the school principal or school board's privacy officer. Ask for the legal basis of the disclosure and the scope of what was shared. If unsatisfied, file a complaint with the provincial access-and-privacy commissioner.

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