Principles

The FOIP Act legislates open and accountable government by guaranteeing applicants the right to access records held by the government. It is a principle of the Act that access to records be given unless the Act specifically allows the record to be withheld.

The right of access is balanced by the need to protect individual privacy. The Act controls how personal information is collected, used and disclosed. It prevents another person from seeing your personal information without your consent.

You can ask to see records held by the government, including personal information about you. You have the right to request that your personal information held in government files be corrected if it is not accurate. This is not an absolute right, and a request to correct information may be turned down.

Finally, the Act provides for review by the Information and Privacy Commissioner if individuals are not satisfied with the decisions of public bodies in response to requests made under the Act. Individuals can also complain to the Commissioner if they believe their personal information has been collected, used or disclosed in violation of the Act.