Access to Information and Privacy

Health Canada has an established Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Division to process formal requests made under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. Health Canada is committed to protecting information collected to administer its programs and adheres to the requirements of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

• The Access to Information Act governs access to information contained in federal government records. This means that Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons present in Canada, or corporations can, formally or informally, request records under the control of Health Canada.
• The Privacy Act governs the collection, use, disclosure and retention of personal information and gives all individuals in Canada access to information about themselves.

The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Division within the Planning, Integration and Management Services Directorate, Corporate Services Branch is responsible for administering the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, as well as associated Treasury Board Policies and Directives for Health Canada.

The ATIP Division:

• responds to access to information and privacy requests
• promotes awareness and provides training on the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act to Health Canada employees
• prepares an Access to Information Annual Report and a Privacy Act Annual Report to Parliament outlining how we operate, the volume of requests received, and how we have responded to those requests
• develops corporate-wide access to information protocols and practices to guide access to information
• develops corporate privacy policies and practices to protect and guide access to personal information
• monitors trends, defines standards, analyses practices, advises program managers, and reviews proposed legislation, for example, in relation to privacy issues
• works with the  Information Commissioner and the  Privacy Commissioner, other government departments and agencies, provincial ministries of health and other key stakeholders

While forms exist for the submission of access to information and privacy requests, using them is not essential. A detailed letter or email will suffice.

More Information:

• Access to Information (ATI) Proactive Disclosure
•  Access to Information Request Form (Treasury Board)
• Annual Reports
• Contact us - We are ready to assist those seeking advice or wishing to file a request for records or personal information.
• Info Source - Info Source provides details on the Government of Canada's information holdings.
• Principles for Assisting Applicants/Requesters (Duty to Assist)
• Proactive Disclosure - Proactive disclosure of Health Canada's travel and hospitality expenses, contracts, and position reclassifications.
• Request Access to Information or Personal Information - Instructions on how to file a request for records or personal information.