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The Complainant made a complaint to this office that the Town of Okotoks (the Public Body) collected, used and disclosed the Complainant’s personal information in contravention of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act or the Act). The Commissioner decided to conduct an inquiry into the matter. The Adjudicator found that the Public Body had authority to collect and use the Complainant’s personal information as it did. The Adjudicator found that the Public Body did not disclose the Complainant’s personal information. Read More...

The head of the Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division (the Public Body) made a decision to extend the timeline for responding to the Applicant’s access request under section 16(1)(b) of the Access to Information Act (ATIA).  The Adjudicator found the Public Body was already in deemed refusal when the extension decision was made and ordered the Public Body to respond to the request. Read More...

An Applicant made a request to Energy and Minerals (the Public Body) under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act), for records involved in preparing the new Alberta Coal Policy. The Public Body responded to the Applicant, granting access to part of the requested records with information withheld under sections 24(1)(a), (b) and (g) of the FOIP Act. The Public Body also removed some information as non-responsive. The Applicant requested an inquiry into the Public Body’s decision to withhold information as non-responsive. The Adjudicator determined that all the information withheld as non-responsive is responsive to the… Read More...

An individual and his mother made an access request to Shepherd’s Care Foundation (SCF) for copies of all records, including health records, relating to the mother, who resided at SCF. The individual (the Applicant’s son) stated that he was making the request on behalf of his mother (the Applicant). SCF responded to the request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act). SCF provided records, with information withheld under sections 17(1), 20, 24, and 27 of the FOIP Act. The Applicant requested an inquiry into SCF’s response. The first part of the inquiry confirmed that the… Read More...

The Village of Bawlf (the Public Body) made 3 decisions to extend timelines under sections 16(1)(b), 16(2) and 16(3) of the Access to Information Act (ATIA or the Act) to respond to the Applicant’s access requests.  The Adjudicator confirmed the first and second extensions taken under section 16(3), but when the third extension was issued, the Public Body was already in deemed refusal and the Adjudicator ordered the Public Body to respond to the request. Read More...

The Applicant made an access request to the Edmonton Police Commission (the Public Body) under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act or Act). The request was for records that “relate to any concerns raised by [former EPS Chief] about the Police Commission or vice versa and about the negotiations in regard to the renewal or extension of his present contract.” The Public Body responded to the request, refusing to confirm or deny the existence of records. The Public Body subsequently provided records responsive to part of the request, with information withheld under section 17(1), 23… Read More...

The Commissioner encourages Albertans to review the three separate guidance documents, now available on the OIPC website, as changes come into effect today The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) of Alberta has developed guidance to enhance protection of Albertans’ personal information and to assist entities that will collect the information on new driver’s licences and identification (ID) cards, starting today. The Alberta government announced in early June that on July 2, 2026, it will begin issuing driver’s licences and ID cards that will also incorporate personal health numbers (PHNs) and Canadian citizenship markers, when applicable. “These changes… Read More...

Starting July 2, 2026, the Government of Alberta is making changes to driver’s licences and identification (ID) cards for Albertans and to the renewal process for these documents. Driver’s licences and ID cards will display a Canadian citizenship marker for Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens and will be modernized for improved protection against identity fraud. Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents with existing Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan coverage, who are renewing their driver’s licence or ID card or obtaining one for the first time, will have their Personal Health Number (PHN) added. This is a mandatory requirement. Albertans… Read More...

Starting July 2, 2026, the Government of Alberta is making changes to driver’s licences and identification (ID) cards for Albertans and to the renewal process for these documents. Driver’s licences and ID cards will display a Canadian citizenship marker for Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens and will be modernized for improved protection against identity fraud. Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents with existing Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan coverage, who are renewing their driver’s licence or ID card or obtaining one for the first time, will have their Personal Health Number (PHN) added. This is a mandatory requirement. Albertans… Read More...

Starting July 2, 2026, the Government of Alberta is making changes to driver’s licences and identification (ID) cards for Albertans and to the renewal process for these documents. Driver’s licences and ID cards will display a Canadian citizenship marker for Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens and will be modernized for improved protection against identity fraud. Eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents with existing Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan coverage, who are renewing their driver’s licence or ID card or obtaining one for the first time, will have their Personal Health Number (PHN) added. This is a mandatory requirement. Albertans… Read More...

The Applicant made an access request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) to the Calgary Police Service (the Public Body or CPS). He requested access to an audio recording of a call made to the non-emergency line, complaining about his taking photographs in the caller’s neighbourhood. The Public Body denied his request for the audio recording, but provided him with a Computer Aided Dispatch record, which summarized the call. The Adjudicator found that the Public Body properly denied access to the audio recording under section 17. Read More...

The Applicant made an access request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) to the Calgary Police Service (the Public Body or CPS). He requested access to an audio recording of a call made to the non-emergency line, complaining about his taking photographs in the caller’s neighbourhood. The Public Body denied his request for the audio recording, but provided him with a Computer Aided Dispatch record, which summarized the call. The Adjudicator found that the Public Body properly denied access to the audio recording under section 17. Read More...

Transportation and Economic Corridors (the Public Body) made a decision to declare the Applicant’s access request abandoned under section 10 of the Access to Information Act (ATIA or the Act).  The Adjudicator found that the Public Body did not properly declare the access request abandoned. Read More...

Transportation and Economic Corridors (the Public Body) made a decision to declare the Applicant’s access request abandoned under section 10 of the Access to Information Act (ATIA or the Act).  The Adjudicator found that the Public Body did not properly declare the access request abandoned. Read More...

The Complainant made a complaint under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) that Mount Royal University (the Public Body) contravened the FOIP Act when information about the end of the Complainant’s employment was shared in two emails. One email was sent by a dean to department chairs. The email was then forwarded by the chair of a department to other members of that department. The email stated: I am writing to inform you that [the Complainant’s status has changed]. We are working to ensure that [the Complainant’s] students this semester and next are supported.… Read More...

On behalf of a company (the Applicant), an individual representing the Applicant, made an access request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) to Justice and Solicitor General (now Public Safety and Emergency Services) (the Public Body) for “. . . all records in the possession of the Director of Law Enforcement with respect to the SCAN unit members’ observations of any activities and any complaints of activities taking place on or near the property “. The Applicant’s representative made the access request after the Applicant received a letter from the Public Body informing… Read More...

Public Safety and Emergency Services (the Public Body) made a decision to declare the Applicant’s access request abandoned under section 10 of the Access to Information Act (ATIA or the Act).  The Adjudicator found that the Public Body did not properly declare the access request abandoned. Read More...

The Edmonton Police Service (the Public Body) made a decision to disregard the Applicant’s access request under section 9(1)(a) of the Access to Information Act (ATIA).  During the inquiry, the Public Body stated it no longer relied on section 9(1)(a) but provided submissions supporting a disregard decision under section 9(1)(e).  The Commissioner determined that a review of a decision to disregard an access request under section 9 of ATIA must be based on the reasons provided to an applicant by a public body at the time the decision was made, and by failing to notify the Applicant that it had… Read More...

Forestry and Parks (the Public Body) made a decision to extend the timeline for responding to the Applicant’s access request by 30 business days under section 16(1)(c) of the Access to Information Act (ATIA or the Act).  Subsequently, the Public Body notified the Applicant it had extended timelines under section 16(4) for the time necessary to comply with the requirements of section 36 of the Act.  The Adjudicator confirmed the extension taken under section 16(1)(c).  The Adjudicator also confirmed the extension taken under section 16(4), only for the related records. Read More...

The guidance will help Albertans protect their information and assist various entities that collect the information on the cards. The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) of Alberta is working to develop guidance due to changes that will soon come into effect for Alberta driver’s licences and identification (ID) cards. The Alberta government announced yesterday that starting on July 2, it will begin issuing driver’s licences and ID cards that will also incorporate personal health numbers and, when applicable, Canadian citizenship markers. “Our office has been in discussions with the government regarding this matter and has been aware… Read More...