FOIP

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) applies to “public bodies”, such as government ministries or departments, government agencies, boards and commissions, school boards and charter schools, universities and colleges, municipalities, and police.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act) public bodies in Alberta must comply with the FOIP Act when collecting and/or disclosing information.  The FOIP Act aims to strike a balance between the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy in regards to information held by the Town.

Access Request - Flow Chart
Source: Cenera 2023

1. You must submit your access request directly to the public body, custodian or organization that you believe has custody or control of the records you are seeking.
   
   
2. Under the FOIP Act, your access request must be in writing.
   
   If your ability to read or write English is limited or you have a physical condition that impairs your ability to make a written request, the FOIP Act allows you to make the request orally. PIPA allows an organization to provide alternate means for requesting access if you are unable to make a written request.
   
   
3. You may ask for a copy of the record(s) or ask to examine the record(s).
   
   
4. Your request must provide enough detail to enable the public body, custodian or organization to identify the information/records you are asking for. 
   
   
5. It is also recommended that your request state that the request is made pursuant to the Acts.  This ensures that all parties are clear that this is a formal access request and that the Town of St. Paul has authority to review any response or failure to respond to your access request.
   
   
6. There may be fees associated with the processing of your access request. If fees are to be charged, a fee estimate must be provided to you before your request is processed.  
   
   
7. The Town has 30 days to respond to your request.  However, the time limits for response may be extended in certain circumstances.  You may ask the OIPC (Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner) to review a failure to respond within the timeframe or an extension taken by a public body, custodian or organization.
   
   
8. Please drop off your completed form and applicable fee on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall (5101-50 Street or Box 1480, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A0), Attention: FOIP Coordinator.

• Request access to any information from a public body, including your personal information
• Ask a public body to make a correction to your personal information
• Ask the OIPC to review a public body’s decision to withhold information from you in response to your access to information request
• Ask the OIPC to review a public body’s response to your request to correct your personal information
• Ask the OIPC to review when a public body has not responded to your access request within timelines
• Ask the OIPC to review a decision to release your information in response to another access request

The OIPC has a number of documents/resources that may be helpful. See this link.

You may email pd@town.stpaul.ab.ca for any general inquiries. 

For matters relating to the correction of personal information or access to an employee's personal information, please contact sjeffery@town.stpaul.ab.ca. 

Town of St. Paul Statistics reported

FOIP FAQ for Municipalities