About Access to Information and Privacy
Both the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act came into force on July 1, 1983.
The Access to Information Act gives every Canadian citizen, permanent resident, individual or corporation present in Canada the right to request access to records that are under the control of federal government institutions regardless of their format.
The purpose of the Privacy Act is to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information and, so, governs the federal government's collection, retention, use and disclosure of that information. It also provides individuals (including those in Canada who are not permanent residents or citizens) with a right of access to their personal information.
The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Division of the Department of Finance administers the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act on behalf of the Department and, as such, serves as the centre of expertise in those areas. Division personnel process formal requests under the Acts, respond to consultations received from other government institutions, handle complaints lodged with the Information and Privacy Commissioners and respond to informal inquiries. The Division also promotes awareness and provides training with respect to the Acts, and generally supports the Department in meeting its commitments concerning greater openness and transparency.
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
Department of Finance Canada
90 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5
Phone: 343-548-2818
Fax: 613-369-3580
E-mail: atip-aiprp@fin.gc.ca