FOIP

Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP)

Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP)

The Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, also known as FOIP, is Provincial Legislation that applies to all public bodies in Alberta including the County of St. Paul.

FOIP affects access to one's own personal information and access to the County’s general information.

The County of St. Paul came under the provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act on October 1, 1995. The FOIP Act aims to strike a balance between the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy with regard to records held by a public body.  

Two types of FOIP requests

  1. Personal Information Requests  An individual requests access to personal information about themselves. Typical examples of personal information requests include a person requesting access to their own property records or records of employment with the County. FOIP requests for one's own personal information does not require an initial fee of $25, although there may be charges for photocopying. You must provide proof of your identity before records containing your personal information are released to you.

          Personal Information is any recorded information about an identifiable individual including:

  • Name, home or business address, home or business telephone number;
  • Race, national or ethnic origin, color;
  • Religious or political beliefs or associations;
  • Age, sex, marital status or family status;
  • Identifying number referring to the specific individual;
  • Educational, financial, employment or criminal history;
  • Anyone else's opinion;
  • Individual's personal views or opinions, except if they are about someone else.
  1. General Information Requests   When an individual or corporate entity request access to general information contained in records held by the County.  It is all information that is recorded in any form that is created by the County to conduct its programs and services.

Typical examples of general information requests include an insurance company requesting access to a fire investigation report, a member of the public requesting access to information related to a development permits on properties not owned by them; or an interest group requesting access to information about expenditures.

General information requests require the payment of an initial fee of $25.  In some cases, additional fees may be assessed.

How to make a FOIP Request

FOIP allows anyone to formally request access to any County of St. Paul record so long as those records are not already publicly available through some other means.

This formal process is managed through the FOIP Coordinator.

If you would like to request information that is not routinely available, you are required to complete the application along with a $25 administration fee, if this is not a personal record being requested. Additional fees may be charged in accordance with the FOIP legislation and the County’s fees and charges schedule.

If you would like to make a FOIP request, please fill out the FOIP Application Form and submit it by mail or in person to:

County of St. Paul
5015 - 49 Avenue
St. Paul, AB   T0A 3A4

Attn:  FOIP Coordinator

If applicable, the FOIP fee of $25 must be paid before work can begin on the request.

Fees can be paid at the County of St. Paul Administration Building by cash, debit, credit card, or cheque payable to the County of St. Paul.  Mailed requests can be paid by cheque only; do not mail cash.  Link to Payment Options    

Payments may also be made through OptionPay via the County website:  Under ‘Type’ – select ‘Other’ and then type in ‘FOIP’.   OptionPay charges a fee so the total charge will be $27.  Include your email for a receipt.

Note: If you are requesting records for another person, you must provide proof that you have authority to act for that person (e.g. Guardianship or trusteeship order, power of attorney).

If you have any questions or concerns about FOIP, please contact the FOIP Coordinator at the County Administration Office at 780-645-3301. 

Response to FOIP Requests

Under FOIP legislation the County of St. Paul has 30 days, initially, to respond to FOIP requests. This time frame may be extended in certain circumstances, such as the volume of material that needs to be reviewed by the FOIP Coordinator.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions