Patricia Kosseim – HC2020
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Patricia Kosseim brings to the IPC significant experience and a wealth of knowledge in the areas of privacy and access law, having worked in public, private and health sectors, and across various jurisdictions.
Prior to joining the IPC, Patricia was counsel in Osler’s Privacy and Data Management Group where she provided strategic advice to clients on matters of privacy, data governance and access law. She also led a number of thought leadership initiatives as national co-leader of Osler’s AccessPrivacy knowledge platform.
Patricia served for more than a decade as senior general counsel and director general at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in Ottawa. During that period, she was responsible for advancing a number of major cases before the federal courts and the Supreme Court of Canada; advising on critical privacy investigations; appearing before parliamentary committees on significant legislative bills; developing national and international policies; leading a national research funding program; and, overseeing a technology analysis team and laboratory.
Patricia has also held executive positions at Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, where she developed and led national strategies for addressing legal, ethical, and social aspects of health research and genomics technologies. She began her career in Montreal practicing in the areas of health law, civil litigation, human rights, privacy, and labor and employment with a leading national law firm.
Patricia has published and spoken extensively on matters of privacy law, health law, and ethics. She has taught part-time at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and has held many professional appointments and board memberships, including as member of the Board of Governors of the Ottawa Hospital; chair of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; vice-chair of the Research Integrity Committee of les Fonds de recherche du Quebec; member of the National DNA Databank Advisory Committee; and member of various expert working groups of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Patricia obtained her business and law degrees from McGill University in Montreal, and a Master’s Degree in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College, University of London.
Patricia is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, as well as the Barreau du Quebec. She is fluently bilingual in both official languages.
When she is not in the office — either physically or virtually — Patricia enjoys all-season, outdoor activities with her family, and their dog Rocky.
Patricia Kosseim brings to the IPC significant experience and a wealth of knowledge in the areas of privacy and access law, having worked in public, private and health sectors, and across various jurisdictions.
Prior to joining the IPC, Patricia was counsel in Osler’s Privacy and Data Management Group where she provided strategic advice to clients on matters of privacy, data governance and access law. She also led a number of thought leadership initiatives as national co-leader of Osler’s AccessPrivacy knowledge platform.
Patricia served for more than a decade as senior general counsel and director general at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in Ottawa. During that period, she was responsible for advancing a number of major cases before the federal courts and the Supreme Court of Canada; advising on critical privacy investigations; appearing before parliamentary committees on significant legislative bills; developing national and international policies; leading a national research funding program; and, overseeing a technology analysis team and laboratory.
Patricia has also held executive positions at Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, where she developed and led national strategies for addressing legal, ethical, and social aspects of health research and genomics technologies. She began her career in Montreal practicing in the areas of health law, civil litigation, human rights, privacy, and labor and employment with a leading national law firm.
Patricia has published and spoken extensively on matters of privacy law, health law, and ethics. She has taught part-time at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and has held many professional appointments and board memberships, including as member of the Board of Governors of the Ottawa Hospital; chair of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; vice-chair of the Research Integrity Committee of les Fonds de recherche du Quebec; member of the National DNA Databank Advisory Committee; and member of various expert working groups of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Patricia obtained her business and law degrees from McGill University in Montreal, and a Master’s Degree in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College, University of London.
Patricia is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, as well as the Barreau du Quebec. She is fluently bilingual in both official languages.
When she is not in the office — either physically or virtually — Patricia enjoys all-season, outdoor activities with her family, and their dog Rocky.
