The Request Process
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act), any person has the right to request information that is held by the provincial government or a local public body, including his or her own information. An individual may also request a correction of his or her personal information.
You may be able to get the information you want without making a formal request under the Act. It is hoped that if government routinely releases information, most people will not need to use the access provisions of the Act. A great deal of provincial government information is routinely released and a phone call or visit to a department may get the help or information you need.
To find out what information is already available, a good place to start is by visiting the public body's website where general information about its programs and activities is usually posted. You can also consult the public body's directory of personal information banks for details about what personal information the public body might have about you. Visit the Directory of Personal Information Banks page on the FOIP website for links to directories produced by Government of Alberta departments.
If the information you want is not available as a matter of routine, a formal request for access to information under the FOIP Act may be necessary. At this point, you can speak to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Coordinator for the public body. The FOIP Coordinator may suggest an alternative information source.
If the formal process is the only option available to you, the FOIP Coordinator may help you complete a request form. A listing of all provincial FOIP Coordinators is available in the Directory of Public Bodies on the FOIP website.
The more specific your request under the Act, the more quickly and accurately it can be answered. The law generally requires the government to respond within 30 calendar days of receiving your request.
Access Requests to OIPC:
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) is subject to the FOIP Act except for records that are excluded under section 4(1)(d).
Section 4(1)(d) excludes records that are created by or for or in the custody or under the control of an Officer of the Legislature and relates to the exercise of that officer's functions under an Act of Alberta.
An access to information request to the OIPC must be in writing and must provide enough detail to enable OIPC to identify the record.
Note: OIPC does not accept requests via email.