How and When to Submit an Access to Information or Privacy Request
Before you submit an Access to Information or Privacy request, make sure you're looking for your information in the right place.
Personal Information in My Service Canada Account
You can view most of your personal information conviently with your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). MSCA is where you will find information such as:
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Statement of Contributions
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) or Employment Insurance (EI) Payments
- Social Insurance Number information - you can view your SIN directly and get guidance on what to do if you've lost your card
- Record of Employment (ROE)
- Some tax slips: T4E for Employment Insurance (EI), T4A/NR4 for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS)
- And much more
Tax Information in CRA My Account
You can conviently view your personal income tax and benefit information and manage your tax affairs with your CRA My Account.
If the information you are seeking is not available in your My Service Canada Account or your CRA My Account, you may submit an Access to Information or Privacy request.
Information you can get through a Privacy Request
A Privacy Request can help you access personal information about individuals held by government institutions, including:
- Your own personal information
- Information about someone else with their consent or authorization
- Information on behalf of a deceased individual
Information you can get through an Access to Information Request
An Access to Information Request can help you access general government records related to the operations of government institutions, such as:
- Information about government spending
- Programs
- Policies
- Activities of the government
Wondering what the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act are? This and other commonly asked questions are answered in the ATIP FAQs. The process to submit an Access to Information or Privacy Request
The process to submit an Access to Information or Privacy request
The steps below can be used to file an Access To Information or Privacy Request with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) under the Access to Information Act or under the Privacy Act.
Online requests – quick and easy!
The ATIP Online Request service is an efficient, convenient, postage-free way to ensure your request reaches us and gets registered quickly.
After you have completed your online request, you will receive an e-mail confirming that we have received your request.
Privacy Requests are free, however if you submit an Access to Information Request you will be required to pay a fee and will receive a payment receipt in the confirmation e-mail.
Standard mail requests
Online requests reach us faster. If, however, you are unable to complete the online form, the following steps explain how to mail in your request:
Step 1: Complete the form
There are different forms for Access to Information and Privacy Requests, make sure you use the right one.
First, complete either the Access to Information Request Form or the Personal Information Request Form to capture the information we need to process your request. You're going to be asked to describe the information you're looking for and to provide any relevant details to help us find it.
Step 2: Enclose payment
If you are submitting a Privacy Request there is no fee.
If you are submitting an Access to Information request, please enclose a $5 cheque or money order payable to the Receiver General of Canada.
You can also pay by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) by calling the Access to Information and Privacy Division directly at 819-654-6981.
Step 3: Mail form
Mail your completed form and payment to:
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
Phase IV, Floor 12, Mail Stop 1203
140 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Québec K1A 0J9
You will then receive a written acknowledgment of receipt that indicates the file number assigned to your request. The file number will appear in all subsequent correspondence. Please note that these requests have a legislated 30 day service standard and may require an extension depending on the request submitted.
Contact us
Contact us if you have questions about submitting an Access to Information or Privacy Request online or by mail.
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