The McGuinty government introduced the Health Information Protection Act to ensure that personal health information is private, confidential and secure. This legislation received Royal Assent on May 20, 2004 and came into effect on November 1, 2004. The Health Information Protection Act consists of two parts : the Personal Health Information Protection Act, and the Quality of Care Information Protection Act. It will provide consistent and comprehensive rules for individuals and organizations that collect, use and disclose personal health information.