Revised: July 11, 2025
Originally published: April 14, 2022

Information collected

As the Data Integration (DI) Unit for the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), the Business Intelligence and Practice Division (the “Division”) indirectly collects personal information for the purposes of data integration.

In its role as a DI Unit, the Division collects personal information about individuals who received ministry services or ministry-funded services between May 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023, from the following MCCSS programs:

  • Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Ontario Works
  • Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
  • Temporary Care Assistance
  • Developmental Services
  • Passport

This information comes from the Social Assistance Management System (SAMS), the Developmental Services Consolidated Information System (DSCIS) and the consolidated payment agency's database.

The personal information collected indirectly as a ministerial DI unit includes:

  • identifying information for children, youth and families, and/or adults receiving services from any of the program areas, including names, dates of birth, addresses, and program specific identifiers such as Client ID, DSCIS ID and social insurance number
  • demographic information including age, gender, and disability type (ICD-9 code)
  • case information for investigations, ongoing service for adults and children in care or out of home care
  • program and service information for program and service recipients including the program name(s), program type(s), client identifiers, and start/end dates

Who has access to the collected personal information

Personal information is only disclosed to members of the DI Unit within MCCSS in the performance of their duties in connection with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Part III.1. The DI Unit within the MCCSS may further disclose personal information it collects:

  • to another inter-ministerial DI Unit and/or an extra-ministerial DI Unit
  • as required by law
  • to an institution or law enforcement agency in Canada in relation to an investigation
  • for the purpose of a proceeding before a court or tribunal
  • to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
  • for a research purpose

The collected personal information from any of the program areas is linked and then de-identified, to remove or anonymize identifying information. Linking data from these programs helps to better understand the financial and employment supports which may assist eligible adult residents of Ontario with a developmental disability and their families who may be in financial need. The DI Unit is collecting PI for the purpose of planning for the delivery of programs and services. Key findings are used to better inform policy and program options in each program area.

Data and privacy

The government is committed to transparency in the use of personal information for data integration and uses only as much personal information as is necessary to achieve the purposes identified above. As required under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Part III.1, the Ministry complies with the Ontario Public Service Data Integration Data Standards. The Data Standards contain a minimum set of requirements for promoting responsible stewardship of the personal information collected by the Division in its role as a DI Unit. By outlining the obligations of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Part III.1, the Data Standards ensure a consistent and effective approach to transparency, accountability, and the protection of privacy across all DI Units.

The Ministry is authorized to indirectly collect this personal information under section 49.2 and section 49.4 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Contact information

Questions about the collection, use and disclosure of personal information for the purposes of data integration may be directed to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Data Integration Unit:

Manager, Data Strategy and Policy Unit 
Data Strategy and Solutions Platform
Business Intelligence and Practice Division
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
3rd Floor, 315 Front Street West 
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 0B8
MCCSSdata@ontario.ca