GDPR compliance for Quebec businesses
Certi360 supports Quebec SMBs that process data of European residents — assessment, documentation and security measures aligned with GDPR and your contractual obligations.
Request a free assessmentDoes GDPR apply to your Quebec business?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies as soon as you process personal data of people located in the European Union — even if your headquarters are in Laval, Montreal or elsewhere in Canada. Websites accessible in Europe, EU clients, remote employees, international newsletters: many scenarios affect Quebec SMBs.
GDPR imposes strict obligations: lawful basis for processing, transparency, individual rights, data security, 72-hour incident notification and demonstrable accountability.
Pillars of our GDPR support
- Applicability assessment — determine if and how GDPR applies to your activities.
- Data mapping — inventory processing activities, cross-border flows and subprocessors.
- Record of processing activities — documentation required by GDPR Article 30.
- Policies and notices — privacy policy, legal notices and consent mechanisms.
- Individual rights — procedures for access, rectification, erasure and portability requests.
- Security measures — technical and organizational controls aligned with ISO 27001 and ISO 27701.
- Incident management — notification plan for authorities and affected individuals.
GDPR, Bill 25 and ISO 27701: one unified program
Quebec modernized its legislation with Bill 25, which shares many principles with GDPR. Rather than maintaining three parallel programs, Certi360 structures unified personal information governance with targeted adjustments per jurisdiction. ISO/IEC 27701 complements this by formalizing a privacy management system.
Who is this service for?
Technology SMBs, SaaS vendors, web agencies, professional services firms and any Quebec organization that sells or operates in Europe, employs EU residents or answers GDPR compliance questionnaires from international clients.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the GDPR?
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the European framework governing the processing of personal data of EU residents. It requires transparency, individual rights, data security and demonstrable accountability.
- Can a Quebec SMB be subject to the GDPR?
- Yes. As soon as you process data of people located in the EU — website, European clients, remote employees, international newsletter — the GDPR may apply, even if your headquarters are in Quebec.
- What are the penalties for GDPR non-compliance?
- European authorities can impose fines of up to €20 million or 4% of worldwide revenue. Beyond penalties, loss of trust from European clients and partners is a major risk for an exporting SMB.
- How does Certi360 help with GDPR compliance?
- We perform an applicability assessment, map your processing activities, draft the required register and policies, and align your controls with the GDPR, Bill 25 and, where relevant, ISO 27701.
- Does the GDPR require certification?
- No, the GDPR does not require formal certification. It requires demonstrable compliance. ISO/IEC 27701 or ISO 27001 can nonetheless structure your program and reassure European clients.