Access to Information and Privacy
Possible delays in treating your request
Openness, transparency and accountability are guiding principles of the Government of Canada. However, our ability to respond to requests within the timelines mandated by the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act may be affected by the exceptional measures put in place to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect the health and safety of Canadians. Access to information and personal information requests received from the public continue to be important to us. We will continue to make reasonable efforts to respond to requests, in accordance with operational realities. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this period as we all navigate these unprecedented challenges.
The Access to Information Act gives every Canadian citizen, permanent resident, individual or corporation in Canada the right to request access to records that are under the control of federal government institutions, regardless of their format.
The purpose of the Privacy Act is to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information. This Act governs the federal government's collection, retention, use and disclosure of that information. It also provides individuals with a right of access to their personal information.
- How to make an Access to Information Request
- How to Make a Personal Information Request
- Timeframe for Responding to Access and Privacy Requests
- Principles for Assisting Applicants
- Completed Access to Information Requests
- Info Source
- Privacy Impact Assessments
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- Related Links
- Open Government
Annual Report on the Access to Information Act
- 2020-21 Annual Report to Parliament
- 2019-20 Annual Report to Parliament
- 2018-19 Annual Report to Parliament
- 2017-18 Annual Report to Parliament
Annual Report on the Privacy Act
Report a problem or mistake on this page
- Date modified: