FOIP: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
Requests to access for information (FOIP Requests) or privacy complaints will be accepted by Calgary Housing as of January 1, 2025.
What is FOIP?
FOIP stands for Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy.
The FOIP Act is the cornerstone of open, accessible, and accountable government for the people of Alberta.
FOIP is the provincial law that governs the collection, use and disclosure of records and information held by Alberta public-sector bodies.
The FOIP Act aims to strike a balance between the public’s right to know and the individual’s right to privacy, as these rights relate to information held by public-sector bodies in Alberta.
There are 5 fundamental principles upon which the FOIP Act is based:
- The public has a right of access to records in the custody or under the control of a public-sector body subject to specific and limited exceptions.
- Public-sector bodies must protect an individual’s personal privacy.
- Individuals have a right to access their own personal information.
- Individuals can request a correction to their personal information.
- A review of a public-sector body’s decision can be undertaken by the independent Information and Privacy Commissioner (oversight).
The FOIP Act has 2 parts:
Part 1 (Access provisions) – outlines the rules under which people can apply for and receive access to public-sector body records
Part 2 (Privacy provisions) – outlines rules governing the collection, use and disclosure of personal information
Access to Information
Under the FOIP Act, the public can access and review a Public Body’s records. You can ask for records that contain:
- Information about a public body’s activities or programs
- Personal information about yourself or on behalf of someone else
- Request the correction of your own personal information
Find out which organizations have the records you want
If you want to request records from other public organizations, you need to contact them directly. For example, Crown Corporations, school districts, health authorities, Calgary Police Service or the City of Calgary all process their own requests for records.
Understand that some information cannot be released under FOIP, for example, a public body may choose to withhold or be required to withhold sensitive information that an applicant may not be entitled to as per the provisions of the Act.
You can ask for records that contain information about Calgary Housing program activities or personal information, example: Your Personal Residency File.
Be specific about which records you want. Broad requests take a long time to process and may result in you being charged a processing fee.
Click here to download the Access to Information or Correction of Personal information Form
Currently, there are no application fees being charged by Calgary Housing. Processing fees may be assessed for large or complex requests for information.
Prior to any processing fees being charged, a fee estimate will be communicated to the applicant.
Section 11(1) of the FOIP Act requires that public bodies respond to an access/correction request no later than 30 calendar days after receiving the request. However, the 30‐day time limit may be extended if:
- A large volume of records is requested
- Consultation with other organizations is needed
- More details are needed to identify records
Your request is received and applicable responsive records are gathered
- The FOIP Coordinator reviews the records for your request to make sure you get everything you requested and that information that must be withheld is severed.
- Arrangements can be made as to how you wish to receive your records; email, pick up, or regular mail. For personal information requests, you will need to show or verify your identity before you can receive the records.
Contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) within 30 business days of receiving a response to your request.
You can download and submit a Request for Review/Complaint form here
Protection of Privacy
As per section 1(n) of the FOIP Act, personal information is described to be recorded information about an identifiable individual.
Examples of personal information: The individual’s name, home or business address or home or business telephone number.
Public bodies cannot collect personal information unless the collection is authorized under section 33 of the Act. Section 33 of the Act authorizes the collection of personal information if:
- the collection of personal information is expressly authorized by or under an enactment of Alberta or Canada;
- the personal information is collected for the purposes of law enforcement; or
- the personal information relates directly to and is necessary for an operating program or activity of the public body.
Calgary housing ensures that we collect and use your personal information solely for the purpose by which it was collected.
Section 38 of the FOIP Act requires a public body to protect personal information by making reasonable security arrangements against such risks as unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure or destruction.
At Calgary Housing, we are committed to protecting your personal information from unauthorized collection, use and/or disclosure.
A privacy breach means the theft or loss, or the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information in the custody or under the control of a public body in contravention of Part 2 of the FOIP Act.
A privacy complaint may result when you have concerns about the way a “public body” has handled or processed your personal information.
Privacy breaches or complaints can be reported by employees, citizens to Calgary Housing. A formal investigation, which may involve management, is conducted. This investigation may result in recommendations being made to mitigate privacy risks.
If you feel that Calgary Housing has breached your privacy, or you have a complaint in how your personal information was handled or processed, you have the right to notify Calgary Housing by downloading this form.
Please include any supporting evidence to support your allegation and use this form. Or email/mail/phone.
Submitting Complaint Form:
By email at chfoip@calgary.ca
Or by regular mail to:
FOIP Coordinator
200, 2535 Wood Building
3rd Ave SE
Calgary AB T2A 7W5
