WHY A CLINIC’S WEBSITE IS DIFFERENT.
A website for a clinic is not an ordinary communication tool. It directly or indirectly processes personal and health information, among the most sensitive that exist. Its architecture is therefore subject to a level of legal and ethical requirements that does not apply to any other industry. Every form, every appointment request, every informational page must be designed with this special status in mind. Simply being online becomes an act of responsibility.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW 25 AND LAW 5.
Two main laws govern the digital presence of clinics in Quebec:
Law 25
It modernises the protection of personal information. It imposes strict data governance, including explicit consent, the appointment of a person in charge, and the obligation to document security measures. It requires full transparency on how data is managed, stored, and protected.
Law 5 & WCAG
Law 5 (An Act to improve access to health services and social services) and the resulting accessibility standards (WCAG) require that digital platforms be accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. A non‑accessible site becomes a barrier to care and a form of exclusion.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF A FRAGILE ARCHITECTURE.
Ignoring these obligations is not an option. Non‑compliance exposes the clinic to severe and potentially irreversible consequences.
Financial Penalties
Law 25 provides for administrative fines of up to 10 million dollars or 2% of worldwide turnover, and criminal penalties of up to 25 million dollars or 4% of turnover.
Loss of Trust
A data breach—or even the perception of negligence—can destroy patient trust, a capital built over years of practice.
COMPLIANCE MUST BE STRUCTURAL.
Compliance cannot be a simple checkbox or an added feature. To be defensible in the event of an audit or incident, it must be integrated into the very structure of the digital asset. An architecture must be intrinsically secure, auditable, and transparent. This is the only approach that can demonstrate due diligence and guarantee real protection, beyond appearances.
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