Records & Information Requests
The Corporate Records & Information Section is responsible for managing corporate records and the freedom of information and privacy program. This section provides the following services:
- Povides information to the public dealing with Regional programs, by-laws, agendas and minutes.
- Provides responses to requests for information made under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
- Provides assistance to staff regarding their compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act and the Personal Health Information Protection Act.
- Operates and maintains a records management program for corporate records, including records retention scheduling, off-site storage services and destruction of regional records.
What is the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)?
- A freedom of information law and a privacy law combined into one.
- Came into force in 1991 and covers all municipal corporations, local boards and commissions, including Halton Region.
- Provides people with a right to gain access to government-held records, known as Freedom of Information (FOI), subject to limited exceptions.
- Protects privacy by allowing individuals to access their own information and to request a correction of that information, subject to limited exceptions.
- Protects privacy by setting rules for the collection, use, disclosure and safeguarding of personal information in the custody or control of local government institutions.
- Privacy rules no longer apply to personal health information managed by municipal government health care providers - see PHIPA.
- A copy of MFIPPA can be viewed at Service Ontario e-laws
or at the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario .
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What is Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)?
- Ontario's most recently passed privacy law.
- Came into force on November 1, 2004 and applies to the entire health care sector in Ontario.
- Health care providers subject to PHIPA are known as Health Information Custodians or HICs.
- Protects privacy by setting rules for the collection, use, disclosure and safeguarding of personal health information by HICs.
- Provides individuals with a legal right to request access to and a correction of their own health information, subject to limited exceptions.
- Does not provide individuals with FOI rights (i.e. access to general records) although MFIPPA continues to apply to municipal HICs.
- At the Region, the following departments/programs are subject to PHIPA:
- All programs under the Medical Officer of Health
- Ambulance/Emergency Medical Services
- Services for Seniors
- Allendale Village Home for the Aged
- Post Inn Village Home for the Aged
- Creek Way Village Home for the Aged
- Adult Day Programs/Supportive Housing
- To access your own personal health information, contact the HIC or staff person that provided you with health services directly. A formal written request may be required in some instances, in accordance with PHIPA.
- For further information about staff and programs that must comply with PHIPA, see Halton Region’s Health Information Custodians.
- A copy of PHIPA can be viewed at Service Ontario e-laws or The Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario .
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