Freedom of information - Protection of Privacy
Ontario's Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) provides an individual with the right to access records of information, including one's own personal information, under the custody and control of a local government institution.
IN THIS SECTION
Routine Access To Board Records
Fee Charges For Requests For Personal Information
Fee Charges For Requests For General Information
Basis of the Act
- Access rights are balanced with privacy protection
- All paper documents, microfilm/fiche, computer files, e-mail and other forms of stored data are all considered to be records of the "institution" (i.e. the PVNC Catholic District School Board)
- Subject to certain limitations, there is a right of access by the public to records in the Board's custody and control
- Subject again to certain limitations, the personal information of individuals has to be protected and is not accessible by other individuals
The Board promotes open government and fosters an organizational structure that advances the fundamental principles of the Act:
- Information (general records) should be available to the public
- Individuals should have access to their own personal information
- Exemptions to access should be limited and specific
- The Board should protect the privacy of individuals with respect to the personal information it collects and maintains.
Routine Access to Board Records
- Individuals wishing routine access to Board records should begin by contacting the Manager of Communications and Freedom of Information/Protection of Privacy at (705) 748-4861 Ext. 245.
- The Manager will then determine if the request should be submitted formally under MFIPPA, or if the records will be provided as a routine disclosure [See MFIPPA Q&A #2]. It is important to note that the rules governing access and privacy under MFIPPA apply to both formal and informal requests for information.
Formal Requests Under MFIPPA
Individuals wanting to submit a formal request for information under the access to information legislation (MFIPPA) may contact the Board's information access coordinator:
Manager of Communications and Freedom of Information/Protection of Privacy
PVNC Catholic District School Board
1355 Lansdowne St. West
K9J 7M3
Telephone: (705) 748-4861, ext. 245
Fax: (705) 748-9691
Formal requests must be made in writing using the MFIPPA Access/Correction Form (available for download above) and accompanied by a $5 application fee. In addition to the application fee, you may be required to pay other fees. The rules regarding the payment and amount of fees are set out in the Act and its regulations.
Fee Charges for Requests for Personal Information Requests
If you are requesting information about yourself, your request is considered a "personal information request". The following fees may apply to requests for your personal information:
Application fee: |
$5.00 to be paid when you submit your request |
Photocopying: |
$0.20 per page |
Computer programming: |
$15.00 for each half-hour if needed to develop program to retrieve information |
Floppy Disks: |
$10.00 for each disk |
Fee Charges for Requests for general information Requests
Requests for information about a person other than yourself or about a municipal program or activity are considered "general information requests" and have different fees than for personal information requests. The following fees apply for requests for general information:
Application fee: |
$5.00 to be paid when you submit your request |
Search time: |
$7.50 for each half-hour required to search and retrieve records |
Record preparation: |
$7.50 for each half-hour required to prepare records for release |
Photocopying: |
$0.20 per page |
Computer programming: |
$15.00 for each half-hour if needed to develop program to retrieve information |
Floppy Disks: |
$10.00 for each disk |
You will be given a fee estimate, if it is anticipated fees are more than $25.00. If the estimate of fees to be paid is $100.00 or more, you may be required to pay a 50% deposit.
Other Fees
N.S.F. cheques: |
$25.00 |
Appeals - General: |
$25.00 |
Appeals - Personal: |
$10.00 |