Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP)

The ATIP Division is the focal point for the application of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act in the Correctional Service of Canada. It reports to the Director General of the Rights, Redress and Resolution branch, and to the Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Research Sector.

The ATIP Division deals directly with the public in connection with ATIP requests and serves as the centre of ATIP expertise in enabling CSC to meet its statutory obligations under the Acts. To that end, the Division is responsible to ensure that formal access and privacy requests are completed in a timely manner, and for promoting a culture of openness and accountability while ensuring that safe and appropriate safe guards are respected with regards to all personal information.

Privacy Act

The purpose of the Privacy Act is to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves where it is held by a government institution and to provide individuals with the right of access to such information.

To make a request under the Privacy Act, sign and complete the request form from the following link:
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tbsf-fsct/350-58_e.asp. It can then be submitted to the contact listed below.

Privacy Impact Assessments

In May 2002, Treasury Board Secretariat implemented the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) Policy to assure Canadians that privacy principles are being taken into account when there are proposals for, and during the design, implementation and evolution of programs and services that raise privacy issues.

A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is a project-based assessment which assists government departments and agencies in evaluating the effects of a program and service delivery on individual privacy and in the development of a plan to avoid or mitigate any adverse effects.

The PIA Policy makes it mandatory to document, publish and maintain a PIA for all federal programs and services that may impact on privacy rights.

The following are summaries of PIAs which have been completed by Correctional Service Canada:

• Electronic Monitoring Program Pilot (EMPP)
• Electronic Sharing of Offenders’ Information via InfoPol with Police Forces
• Electronic Sharing of Offenders’ Information with Post-Penal Agencies
• Electronic Sharing of Offenders’ Information with Provincial Governments
• Exchange of Personal Information between CSC and Passport Canada
• Human Resources Management System (HRMS)
• Ontario Sex Offender Registry
• Salary Management System
• Telework at the ATIP Office of CSC

COMPLAINTS ABOUT PRIVACY:

Contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner if you feel that CSC has violated your privacy rights. Lodging a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner is free of charge. There is no need to hire special advisors to help you lodge a complaint.
http://www.privcom.gc.ca/contactUs/index_e.asp

Access to Information Act

The purpose of the Access to Information Act is to provide a right of access to records under the control of a government institution, in accordance with the principles that government information should be available to the public, that necessary exceptions to the right of access should be limited and specific, and that decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government.

To make a request under the Access to Information Act, there is an application cost of $5.00. Payment is accepted in the form of a money order, or cheque made payable to the Receiver General for Canada. The request form can be found at the following link: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tbsf-fsct/350-57_e.asp The signed and completed form accompanied by the application payment, can then be forwarded to the contact listed below.

When may I lodge a complaint related to the Access to Information Act?

You may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Information Commissioner about any matter related to the Access to Information Act. For example, you may complain if you have made a written request for information and you believe that you have been improperly denied information; if the institution's response to your request has taken too long; or if the charges are too high. You may also lodge a complaint if you didn't receive the information in the official language of your choice. Your complaint will be investigated by the Office of the Information Commissioner at no cost. Your complaint must be made within one year of the date that CSC received your written request.

How do I complain?

Write or phone the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada.
http://www.infocom.gc.ca/contact/default-e.asp

Contact us:

Anne Rooke
Director
Access to Information and Privacy Division
340 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P9

ATIP General information: (613) 992-8248
Fax (613) 995-4412