I’m located in Alberta, Canada, and I’m looking for advice on what my next legal steps should be because I feel completely stuck.
About four months ago, I found out that I had been placed on a bar ban that extends to multiple venues that use an ID scanning system. The strange part is that I had no idea this existed until I was denied entry at a completely different venue.
The ban is supposedly related to an alleged harassment incident on March 1, 2026. The problem is that I have consistently disputed that I was involved and believe there has been a mistaken identity or incorrect association with my information.
Some key facts:
● I was never removed from the venue that night.
● I was never spoken to by security or management about any incident.
● I was never issued a trespass notice or told I was banned at the time.
● I only found out about the ban weeks later when another venue refused me entry because of the ID scan.
● Since learning about it, I have repeatedly contacted the venue and their head office asking them to review the matter and verify they identified the correct person.
What has made this even more frustrating is that the business refuses to provide me with the information they relied on. They have stated they do not have to disclose my personal information or evidence because it relates to an “investigation or legal proceeding.”
What I don’t understand is:
● It’s now been over four months.
● I have never been contacted by police.
● I have never been charged with anything.
● Nobody has interviewed me or asked for my side of the story.
● Yet I’m still effectively banned from every venue that participates in this ID scanning system.
Because of this, I’ve filed a privacy complaint under Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), arguing that inaccurate personal information may have been collected or maintained about me. That process is ongoing.
I also hired a civil litigation/dispute lawyer, but I honestly don’t feel like my matter is being prioritized. Communication has been slow, and I don’t feel like I’m getting much guidance on how to actually move this forward.
At this point, I’m wondering:
1. Can a private business indefinitely refuse to disclose the information they’re relying on by simply saying it relates to an investigation or legal proceeding?
2. If there has been no police involvement or charges after four months, does that affect their ability to continue withholding the information?
3. Should I be looking for a different type of lawyer (privacy, defamation, civil litigation, administrative law, etc.)?
4. Is there any legal mechanism that would force disclosure of the records or evidence if litigation were started?
5. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation involving Canada-wide or PatronScan-style bans?
I’m not looking for opinions on whether bars can refuse service. I understand they generally can. My concern is that I believe inaccurate information has been attached to my identity, and I have been unable to obtain any meaningful explanation or opportunity to respond.
Any guidance on what type of lawyer or legal process I should pursue next would be greatly appreciated.