We use cookies on this site to enhance your online experience. By continuing to use this site, you agree to accept cookies.
Most of the information sought by the public is available and provided routinely. Information may be available online or by contacting the appropriate department. Routinely available records include, but are not limited to, council agendas, minutes and policies, annual reports and bylaws.
If the information you are seeking is not routinely available, a formal request must be made. Formal Freedom of Information, or FOI, requests must be made in writing. Your request must be clear and specific with enough detail for staff to locate and retrieve the records.
Section 75 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act allows application fees for costs associated with processing requests to access records under the Act. The city's Fees and Charges Bylaw establishes the maximum fees as set out in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Regulation Schedule of Maximum Fees.
The act prohibits public bodies from charging applicants for access to their own personal information. The act also states that the first three hours spent searching for and retrieving the records are free of charge. If the request includes a large volume of records to be searched, we will send you a fee estimate before proceeding with your request, which will require a deposit for us to proceed.
To help reduce fees and to minimize taxpayers' expense, please narrow the scope of your request as much as possible. As well, you should try to specify a date range as our records date back many years.
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act requires that the city respond to your request within 30 business days of receiving your request. We will make every effort to make the records available to you sooner if possible. Many requests are processed within 15 to 30 days.
If your request is broad in scope or includes a large volume of records, we may extend the time limit for responding under Section 10 of the act, for up to an additional 30 business days. For very large and/or difficult requests we may apply to the British Columbia Information and Privacy Commissioner for an additional extension.
The department that receives an informal request will respond as quickly as possible. Some responses can be made over the phone.
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, or FOIPPA, allows the city to withhold information if releasing it would be an invasion of privacy or cause harm by one of the means listed. If the city withholds any information, the FOI Head will tell you which section or sections under the act were used in making the decision.
If we deny access to any record, or portion, you may ask the British Columbia Information and Privacy Commissioner to conduct a review.