The mission of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC) is:
- Advocating for the access and privacy rights of Albertans
- Ensuring public bodies, health custodians and private sector organizations uphold the access and privacy rights contained in the laws of Alberta
- Providing fair, independent and impartial reviews in a timely and efficient manner
Through the OIPC, the Commissioner performs the responsibilities set out in Alberta’s three access to information and privacy laws:
- Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP)
- Health Information Act (HIA)
- Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
The Commissioner oversees and enforces these laws to ensure their purposes are achieved. The Commissioner operates independent of government.
Powers, Duties and Functions
The Commissioner’s powers, duties and functions under Alberta's access and privacy laws include:
- Providing reviews of responses to access to information requests.
- Providing reviews of privacy complaints related to the collection, use and disclosure of personal or health information.
- Providing reviews of privacy impact assessments and breach reports.
- Conducting inquiries and issuing orders.
- Educating public bodies, custodians and organizations about the application of the laws.
- Educating the public about access and privacy issues.
- Receiving comments from the public concerning the laws.
- Engaging in or commissioning research relating to the purposes of the laws.
- Commenting on proposed legislation or programs that have implications for access and privacy.
The Commissioner also has the power to review decisions of the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Services for access to personal driving and motor vehicle information under the Access to Motor Vehicle Information Regulation (AMVIR).