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Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP)

Overview

The purpose of the Access to Information Act is to provide all individuals or corporations present in Canada with the right of access to information contained in records (any format) under the control of federal government institutions. This right of access is subject to certain specific and limited exceptions.

The Privacy Act ensures that federal government institutions respect privacy rights of individuals by limiting the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. It also gives individuals the right to access and request correction of their personal information held by these institutions.

General Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) enquiries may be sent by email to the ATIP Coordinator or by contacting the office at 1-613-954-2880.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I access information under the Access to Information Act?

A request for information pursuant to the Access to Information Act must be submitted in writing and must clearly explain what records are requested. You may fill out the Access to Information Request Form or provide a straightforward letter detailing what information is being requested.  All requests must be accompanied by a $5.00 cheque or money order made payable to the Receiver General for Canada, to cover the application fee.

All requests for information under the control of any Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) office must be sent to:

ATIP Coordinator
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
155 Queen Street, 14th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H5

Note that additional charges may be levied in keeping with the regulations of the Act.

What information is accessible under the Access to Information Act?

All information in records, regardless of the format, held under the control of the Agency is accessible under the Access to Information Act. There are two exceptions: documents that are published or available for purchase and confidences of the Queen's Privy Council. Both are excluded and, therefore, are not subject to the Act. With respect to information contained in all other types of records, it may be subject to specific and limited exemptions (e.g. personal information, third-party confidential, solicitor–client privilege, etc.).

How can I access my personal information under the Privacy Act?

You may fill out the Personal Information Request Form, or provide a straightforward letter clearly identifying the information you are seeking.

All requests for information under the control of any Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) office must be sent to:

ATIP Coordinator
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
155 Queen Street, 14th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H5

When can I expect a response to my request submitted under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act?

Both Acts allow for a legal response time of 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of an official request. The Acts also allow for legal extensions to this first 30 calendar-day response time.

The Privacy Act provides for one legal extension of no more than 30 days, which means the Agency may take up to 60 days to provide you with a response. The Access to Information Act also provides for a legal extension to the response time, for reasons such as the volume of records and consultations with other parties required for the request. You will be notified should an extension to the response time be required under either Act.

Can personal information be released?

The Privacy Act sets out the rules governing the collection, retention and disposal of personal information. Personal information about an individual can only be disclosed to someone else if the information is publicly available, if the individual to whom it relates has provided consent for its release or in accordance with section 8 of the Privacy Act.

Can I complain under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act?

You may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada about any matter related to the administration of the Access to Information Act following submission of a formal request. If your complaint relates to your request for access to a record, it shall be made within 60 days after the day on which you receive a notice of a refusal under section 7, are given access to all or part of the record or, in any other case, become aware that grounds for the complaint exist. For example, your complaint may involve applied exemptions, delays in providing a response, fee assessed, etc. Complaints must be submitted in writing to:

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
Place de Ville, Tower B
112 Kent Street, 7th Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 1H3
Tel.: 613-995-2410 or 1-800-267-0441
Fax.: 613-947-7294
Web site: http://www.oic-ci.gc.ca

If you believe that the Agency has not respected your privacy rights, you may submit a complaint in writing to:

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Place de Ville, Tower B
112 Kent Street, 3rd Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 1H3
Tel.: 613-947-1698 or 1-800-282-1376
Fax.: 613-947-6850
Web site: http://www.priv.gc.ca/

Info Source

What is Info Source?

  • A series of publications published by the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) that describe the Government of Canada organizations and their mandate, structure and type of information they manage
  • A reference tool to help the public identify the federal organization that may hold information of interest, be it personal or other – mostly used for purposes of submitting official requests pursuant to the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act
  • Each organization is responsible for updating its chapter and submitting it to TBS on a yearly basis

ATIP Reports to Parliament

Section 72 of the Access to Information Act and Section 72 of the Privacy Act require that the head of every government institution prepare, for submission to Parliament, an annual report on the administration of the Acts within the institution during each financial year.

References

Legislation

Department of Justice Canada

Policies

Treasury Board Secretariat

Other Useful Links

Date Modified: 2011-09-21

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