Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FIPPA or FOI)
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the 'Act') provides specific rights regarding personal privacy and information that is created, collected or controlled by the City of Delta.
The principles of the Act are to provide a balance between access and protection:
- The public has the right to access government information; and
- Individuals have the right to have their personal information protected.
At the City of Delta, it has always been a priority to be helpful in providing information and assistance to the public. Since the advent of the Act, however, we have had to apply its provisions, which means that while we give access to some information more readily, we must restrict access to documents containing personal information. For example, a person may not receive access to closed Council meeting agendas, minutes or materials, someone else's personal information, information that would harm third party business interests or law enforcement investigations and proceedings. Each request is reviewed and evaluated individually with regard to the Act.
Information That Will Not Be Released:
- Bulk property registry data (Assessment Roll)
- Business license applications (in bulk)
- Contact information for property owners
- Disclosure harmful to the conservation of heritage sites
- Disclosure harmful to law enforcement (open bylaw complaints or investigations)
- Disclosure harmful to business interests of a third party in accordance with the Act
- Disclosure harmful to personal privacy
- Legal advice given to the City
- Local public body confidences
- Names and contact information of home owners
- Policy advice or recommendations
In accordance with the City's Bylaw Complaint and Enforcement Policy, personal information that is reasonably capable of identifying a particular individual either alone or when combined with other information, where the information reasonably permits identification of the individual to those seeking to collect, use or disclose it, will not be released by the City.
Pursuant to Section 15(1)(d) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the City will not reveal the identity (i.e. the complainant's name, personal information of the complainant or information that reasonably permits the identification of the complainant) of a confidential source of law enforcement information. Personal information recorded about an identifiable individual, including the complainant and alleged violator, will be kept confidential unless written consent for disclosure is received from that individual.
What does the Act cover?
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act covers all records on which information is recorded, i.e., correspondence, reports, forms, microfilm, drawings, and electronic media.
It is important to note that the Act covers records and the information contained in those records; the FOI process is not a method to request that City staff compile and summarize research on a particular topic. The Act is like using a library card - it allows you access to a book (record), but you have to do the research necessary for your purposes.
For further information on the Act, please refer to the website of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia.