Andrew Drummond is Director of Health Policy at the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. Prior to joining the IPC in 2022, Andrew worked at Ontario’s Ministry of Health in its Information Management Strategy and Policy Branch, where his main focus was on the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and its regulations.
He has also previously worked in numerous roles at the University of Toronto and the University of Alberta. Andrew holds a BA (Hons) and an MA from the University of Alberta.
Day 1: Dec 5, 2023
Day 2: Dec 6, 2023
11:45 am
PANEL: PRIVACY
Has Canada gone too far in prioritizing privacy over innovation in Healthcare
As Canada accelerates AI adoption in healthcare, a defining question emerges: should innovation come before privacy? With Bill C-27, PHIPA, and HIA reshaping the privacy landscape, healthcare leaders must balance progress with protection.
Advocates for stronger privacy argue that trust is the foundation of transformation — without it, adoption and data quality collapse. Others contend that excessive regulation stifles innovation, delaying AI-driven insights that could save lives. This panel explores how Canada can navigate these tensions through:
- Embedding privacy-by-design in AI and analytics.
- Advancing de-identification, consent, and portability
- Introducing AI transparency and auditability to sustain trust.
Can Canada innovate responsibly — or must privacy always come first?
