Publications A-Z

All publications produced by the Access and Privacy Branch are listed below alphabetically by title. These publications are also organized and described under their applicable topic in the topic listing section.

Highlights how the FOIP Act may apply to personal information contained in an assessment roll.

Provides an overview of the fee structure, and explains when a fee estimate is required, what services a public body can charge for, how to prepare a fee estimate, the effect of the estimate on time lines, and processes for deposits and payment of fees. The Bulletin reflects the amendments to fee provisions in the FOIP Regulation enacted on February 8, 2006, which came into force on April 1, 2006.

Discusses the rationale for fees and fee waivers, the way the Act and Regulation apply to the processing of a request that may involve a fee waiver, and matters to be considered when deciding whether to grant a request for a fee waiver.

Considers the obligations of a public body to make policy manuals available for consultation by members of the public.

Explains how these two provisions of the FOIP Act apply when responding to requests for personal information.

Provides an overview on how the FOIP Act applies to the indirect collection of personal information by a local public body for fund-raising activities. Also discusses how a post-secondary institution can use and disclose personal information in alumni records.

Explains how the FOIP Act applies to a personal record of an elected or appointed official of a local public body.

Provides an overview of the way the Act applies to law enforcement including the definition of "law enforcement" and the Commissioner's interpretation of the definition; the mandatory and discretionary exceptions to disclosure of personal information or other information in a law enforcement record in response to an access request under Part 1; the collection, use and disclosure of law enforcement information under Part 2, and practical tips on the creation and management of law enforcement records.

Explains the FOIP Act's provisions for disclosure of personal information for the purpose of delivering a joint program or shared service. Suggests measures for protecting privacy when planning these initiatives.

Explains which party has the burden of proof in an inquiry before the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Explains who is a third party, when third party notice is required, how the notification and decision-making process works, and what practical things public bodies may need to consider in order to comply with sections 30 and 31 of the Act.

Explains the concept of paramountcy, the circumstances in which another Act may need to prevail over the FOIP Act, how a FOIP Coordinator should approach a request under the FOIP Act when paramountcy may be involved, and the process for legislative planners to follow when their public body is considering proposing a new paramountcy.

Highlights the access and privacy protection issues raised by e-mail. Does not address other management issues relating to e-mail, such as records management, e-mail monitoring or the development of a general policy on the use of e-mail.

Offers guidance on the disclosure of business contact information under section 40(1)(bb.1) of the Act, reviews a public body's obligations under Part 2 of the Act with respect to the collection, use, accuracy, protection, and retention of business contact information, and includes a discussion of access to business contact information under Part 1 of the Act.

Provides a comprehensive list of the amendments to the FOIP Act and offers some guidance on interpreting the new and amended provisions. Also includes a brief account of several amendments to other Acts that appear as consequential amendments in the FOIP Amendment Act.

Discusses the effect of a series of decisions made in 2002 by the Alberta Labour Relations Board on the issue of whether the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act is a barrier to disclosing employee personal information to a bargaining agent.

Provides an overview of the FOIP Act as it relates to the personal information of deceased individuals, reviewing the general and some specific provisions that apply to deceased individuals.

Explains the provisions for consent and authentication in section 6 of the FOIP Regulation and provides guidance with respect to the policies or "rules" that public bodies must establish in order to accept consent electronically or orally.

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Explains the rationale for the new and amended provisions and offers guidance on applying the amended provisions within public bodies.

Explains which party has the burden of proof in an inquiry before the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Offers guidance on the disclosure of business contact information under section 40(1)(bb.1) of the Act, reviews a public body's obligations under Part 2 of the Act with respect to the collection, use, accuracy, protection, and retention of business contact information, and includes a discussion of access to business contact information under Part 1 of the Act.

Explains the FOIP Act's provisions for disclosure of personal information for the purpose of delivering a joint program or shared service. Suggests measures for protecting privacy when planning these initiatives.

Provides advice to help public body staff ensure that surveys conducted by the public body comply with the privacy requirements of the FOIP Act.

Explains the provisions for consent and authentication in section 6 of the FOIP Regulation and provides guidance with respect to the policies or "rules" that public bodies must establish in order to accept consent electronically or orally.

Explains briefly how the FOIP Act affects companies and organizations that have contracts with government or local public bodies.

Explains how these two provisions of the FOIP Act apply when responding to requests for personal information.

Discusses the effect of a series of decisions made in 2002 by the Alberta Labour Relations Board on the issue of whether the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act is a barrier to disclosing employee personal information to a bargaining agent.

Highlights the access and privacy protection issues raised by e-mail. Does not address other management issues relating to e-mail, such as records management, e-mail monitoring or the development of a general policy on the use of e-mail.

Provides an overview of the fee structure, and explains when a fee estimate is required, what services a public body can charge for, how to prepare a fee estimate, the effect of the estimate on time lines, and processes for deposits and payment of fees. The Bulletin reflects the amendments to fee provisions in the FOIP Regulation enacted on February 8, 2006, which came into force on April 1, 2006.

Discusses the rationale for fees and fee waivers, the way the Act and Regulation apply to the processing of a request that may involve a fee waiver, and matters to be considered when deciding whether to grant a request for a fee waiver.

Provides an overview of the FOIP Act and Regulation for the public and staff of public bodies.

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Explains the rationale for the new and amended provisions and offers guidance on applying the amended provisions within public bodies.

Provides a comprehensive source of reference on the application of the FOIP legislation by public bodies in Alberta. Interprets the Act and Regulation with reference to rulings by the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Also sets out roles and responsibilities and offers guidance on approaches and procedures that are intended to assist in the effective administration of the Act. Also available for purchase from the Alberta Queen's Printer.

Offers tips for collecting, using, disclosing, protecting, retaining and disposing of personal information when planning a municipal census.

Provides an overview on how the FOIP Act applies to the indirect collection of personal information by a local public body for fund-raising activities. Also discusses how a post-secondary institution can use and disclose personal information in alumni records.

Considers issues related to the sharing of personal information by public bodies. Provides guidelines for drafting personal information sharing agreements.

Designed to help managers develop and use privacy statements on their Government of Alberta web sites and ensure that their sites comply with the privacy requirements of the FOIP Act.

Describes how public bodies can identify personal information banks as required by the FOIP Act.

Provides guidance to counsellors employed by school boards on the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, as well as the exercise of rights by parents and guardians. While the focus is on schools, the guide is also applicable to counselling services in other settings.

Designed to assist public bodes in deciding whether collection of personal information by means of a surveillance camera is both lawful and justifiable.

Provides a comprehensive source of reference on the application of the FOIP legislation by public bodies in Alberta. Interprets the Act and Regulation with reference to rulings by the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Also sets out roles and responsibilities and offers guidance on approaches and procedures that are intended to assist in the effective administration of the Act. Also available for purchase from the Alberta Queen's Printer.

Provides guidance for human resources staff in local public bodies on identifying information that can be routinely released upon request. Also outlines considerations when disclosing information under section 40 of the FOIP Act, and when responding to a request made under the FOIP Act.

Provides an overview of the way the Act applies to law enforcement including the definition of "law enforcement" and the Commissioner's interpretation of the definition; the mandatory and discretionary exceptions to disclosure of personal information or other information in a law enforcement record in response to an access request under Part 1; the collection, use and disclosure of law enforcement information under Part 2, and practical tips on the creation and management of law enforcement records.

Considers the obligations of a public body to make policy manuals available for consultation by members of the public.

Provides guidance for contract managers within the Government of Alberta on access to information, protection of privacy and records management issues when preparing and administering contracts. Some parts of the guide are also relevant to local public bodies.

Explains the concept of paramountcy, the circumstances in which another Act may need to prevail over the FOIP Act, how a FOIP Coordinator should approach a request under the FOIP Act when paramountcy may be involved, and the process for legislative planners to follow when their public body is considering proposing a new paramountcy.

Provides an overview of the FOIP Act as it relates to the personal information of deceased individuals, reviewing the general and some specific provisions that apply to deceased individuals.

Explains how the FOIP Act applies to a personal record of an elected or appointed official of a local public body.

Briefly explains for the public the purposes of the FOIP Act and provides general instructions on how to make a request for information.

Highlights how the FOIP Act may apply to personal information collected for and included in a school promotional video.

Explains who is a third party, when third party notice is required, how the notification and decision-making process works, and what practical things public bodies may need to consider in order to comply with sections 30 and 31 of the Act.

Discusses how school boards may collect, use and disclose student and parent information as part of the student registration process. Sample forms are included.

Highlights how the FOIP Act may apply to personal information collected for and included in video yearbooks.