Freedom of Information

Learn how the Town of Cochrane and its departments keep your information safe and how to request your records.
Freedom of Information

Protection of Privacy

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act applies to local government organizations, including municipalities; police services boards, school boards, and conservation authorities, boards of health and transit commission. The Act requires that local government organizations pretext the privacy of an individual’s personal information existing in government records. It also gives individuals the right to request access to municipal government information, including most general records and records containing their own personal information. 

Privacy Protection

The Act creates a privacy protection scheme which the government must follow to protect an individual’s right to privacy. The scheme includes rules regarding the collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal of personal information in the government’s custody or control. If an individual feels his or her privacy has been compromised by a government organization governed by the Act, he or she may complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner, who may investigate the complaint. Individuals who are given access to their personal information have the right to request correction of that information where they believe there is an error or omission.

Where this request is refused, individuals may require that a statement of disagreement be attached to the information. Individuals may also require that all parties to whom the information has been disclosed in the preceding year be notified of the correction or statement of disagreement. An individual may appeal a government organization’s response to a correction request to the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Requesting Access to Records

If you want access to government records, begin by contacting the government organization that has the information. If you do not obtain the information you want, make a written request under the Act. Please note: Section 52 of the Act outlines some specific types of records that are not subject to the Act. Additionally, the Act sets out mandatory and discretionary exemptions to access which are listed below.

Mandatory exemptions require a government organization to refuse to disclose certain kinds of records, including:
  • Information received in confidence from other governments;
  • Third party information if supplied in confidence and where disclosure could prejudice the interests of a third party;
  • Personal information about individuals other than the requester.
Discretionary exemptions allow a government organization to decide whether to disclose certain other kinds of records, including:
  • Draft bylaws, draft private bills and records of meetings that are authorized by statute to be held in the absence of the public;
  • Advice or recommendations within the organization;
  • Law enforcement information;
  • Information which could prejudice the financial or other specified interests of the organization;
  • Information subject to solicitor-client privilege;
  • Information which could endanger the health or safety of an individual;
  • Information already available to the public or soon to be published.
Government organizations must:
  • Design and implement records systems which adequately protect personal privacy;
  • Assist in locating records requested;
  • Determine if the requested record might contain personal information or third party information that affects the interests of someone other than the requester and, if so, allow the affected person to make representations about the disclosure of this information before granting access;
  • Within 30 days of receipt of an access request, make records available, deny access or notify the requester of any delay because of a need to obtain representations from affected persons or because of extraordinary circumstances;
  • Give written reason for any denial of access;
  • Inform the person being denied access of his or her right to appeal to the Information and Privacy Commissioner within 30 days of receiving the government organization’s response.

Town Hall

171 Fourth Avenue
Cochrane, ON P0L 1C0
Tel: 705-272-4361
Fax: 705-272-6068

Email Town Hall

Application fees & request forms

You must fill out the request form and pay a $5 application fee to the government organization when you make your request. If you are requesting an appeal, you must pay an application fee to the Information and Privacy Commissioner when you make your appeal. The appeal fees are as follows:

  • $10 for requests related to access to or correction of your personal information;
  • $25 for requests related to access to general records.

The fee must accompany your appeal and may be paid by cheque or money order, payable to ‘The Minister of Finance’. Work on requests or appeals will not begin until the fee is received.

About the Commissioner

The Information and Privacy Commissioner is appointed by the Ontario Legislature. This independence from the government of the day allows the Commissioner to be impartial when carrying out duties under the Acts.

IPC Forms

Use the following link to view the IPC's forms.
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