2021-22 Survey of Canadian businesses on privacy-related issues

Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc. (Phoenix SPI) was commissioned by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) to conduct a telephone survey of Canadian businesses on privacy-related issues. The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is an advocate for the privacy rights of Canadians, with the powers to investigate complaints and conduct audits under two federal laws; publicly report on the personal information-handling practices of public and private sector organizations; and conduct research into privacy issues. The purpose of this research is to better understand the extent to which businesses are familiar with privacy issues and requirements, and to learn more about the types of privacy policies and practices that they have in place, as well as their privacy information needs. The research will also be used to inform and guide the OPC's outreach efforts with businesses. A 15-minute telephone survey was administered to 751 companies across Canada from January 12 to February 18, 2022. The target respondents were senior decision makers with responsibility and knowledge of their company’s privacy and security practices. Businesses were divided by size for sampling purposes: small businesses (1-19 employees); medium-sized businesses (20-99 employees); and large businesses (100+ employees). The sample source was Dun & Bradstreet (D&B Canada).

Note that the target sample size was intended to be 1,000 interviews, as with previous waves of this survey: 500 with small businesses, 300 with medium-sized businesses, and 200 with large businesses. The target sample size was reduced to 750 interviews at the mid-point of the fieldwork to offset the lower contact rate encountered this year due, in large part, to workplace conditions resulting from the global pandemic.