OVERVIEW

Section 2 states that the intended purposes of the Act are to make public bodies more accountable to the public and to protect personal privacy.  It also outlines how these purposes will be achieved.

SECTION REFERENCE

2	(1)	The purposes of this Act are to make public bodies more accountable to the public and to protect personal privacy by
		(a)	giving the public a right of access to records,
		(b)	giving individuals a right of access to, and a right to request correction of personal information about themselves,
		(c)	specifying limited exceptions to the rights of access,
		(d)	preventing the unauthorized collection, use or disclosure of personal information by public bodies, and
		(e)	providing for an independent review of decisions made under this Act.
	(2)	This Act does not replace other procedures for access to information or limit in any way access to information that is not personal information and is available to the public.

SUMMARY

Section 2 states the purposes of the Act as making public bodies more accountable and protecting privacy.

Many requests for information can be satisfied through routine channels.  A formal freedom of information request should only be necessary when the applicant has been unable to acquire records through routine avenues.

POLICY

1. The Act does not replace other procedures for access to information that is not personal information and is available to the public outside the Act.
   
   
2. Where information is not available through other avenues (routine channels), the Act provides the public with a uniform process for requesting information.
   
   
3. Public bodies must disclose personal information only in accordance with Act.  Personal information may be available without a formal request in accordance with section 33, paragraphs (b) through (r).

INTERPRETATION 

Does not "limit in any way" means that it is not the intention of the Act to replace or halt any means of access to records that are routinely available to the public and do not contain personal information.  In general, other methods for release of records containing non-personal information is known as the routine release process.

Example:

• The Act does not replace or limit a public body's practice of routinely releasing records containing non-personal information to the public.  A public body may charge a reasonable fee for the production maps, surveys and reports without the need for a formal request under the Act.

REFERENCES

OIPC Orders:	5-1994; 7-1994; 11-1994; 13-1994;  29-1994; 51-1995; 61-1995; 62-1995;  86-1996; 158-1997; 160-1997;  217-1998; 221-1998; 248-1998;
FOIPPA Manual:	section 30
	section 33
Policy Definitions:	access
	information
	privacy
	routine release
Schedule 1 Definitions:	personal information
	records