FAQs

Personal information and privacy

Am I obliged to give personal information (Social Insurance Number, driver’s licence number, health insurance number) to anyone who requests it?

It depends.
Under the Taxation Act, in particular, only people (employers, government departments or agencies) needing the Social Insurance number for tax purposes can require this. Note that Hydro-Quebec is an exception to this rule; as a Crown corporation, it does in fact have the right to request its customers’ Social Insurance numbers.

Under the Quebec’s Health Services Insurance Act, you are obliged to present your health insurance card only for purposes related to the provision of services or obtaining goods or resources related to health or social services.

Under the terms of the Highway Safety Code, only a peace officer or representative Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec has the right to require you to produce your driver’s licence, and only in the interests of road safety.