Girao v. Zarek Taylor Grossman Hanrahan LLP
Date: Federal Court Decision (2011 FC 1070)
Summary:
The Federal Court found that a law firm violated PIPEDA by posting on its website a Privacy Commissioner’s report along with a cover letter that included identifying information about the complainant—without her consent. The Court held this was a privacy breach and awarded $1,500 in damages. The complainant had sought $5 million, but the Court’s award reflected the modest nature of harm despite the wrongful disclosure.
Damages / Costs Awarded:
- $1,500 in damages (no punitive damages were awarded).
Key Principle:
Even inadvertent or well-intentioned disclosures of identifying personal information under PIPEDA can warrant compensation—but damages tend to remain low when there is no significant harm or malicious intent involved.
