Freedom of Information Request

Under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) you have the right to request access to records held by government organizations in accordance with the following principles:

• Information should be made available to the public;
• Individuals should have access to their own personal information;
• Exceptions to access should be limited and specific;
• The privacy of individuals with respect to the personal information that government organization collect and maintain shall be protected; and
• Decisions on the disclosure of government information may be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Requests: formal vs. informal

To access records held by the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority (SSMRCA), we suggest that you first contact our office. The Freedom of Information Head (designated staff member) can determine if a formal MFIPPA request is needed. The SSMRCA tries to provide as much information as possible to the public without the need to make a formal request under MFIPPA. However, requests for information containing personal information or third party information may require a formal request.

What kind of information can I request?

A record is defined as any record of information, however recorded, whether in printed form on file, by electronic means or otherwise, and includes:

• correspondence, a memorandum, a book, a plan, a map, a drawing, a diagram, a pictorial or graphic work, a photograph, a film, a microfilm, a sound recording, a videotape, a machine readable record, any other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics.

In general, personal information is not disclosed at any time unless:

• the person to whom the information relates has consented to its disclosure; or
• disclosure is by a law enforcement institution

How to make a formal request

1. Complete the request form (located at the bottom of this page) stating that you are requesting information under MFIPPA. It's important to include as much detail as possible about the information you're requesting. 
    
2. Submit the request by mail, along with the legislated $5 application fee to:

Freedom of Information Head

Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority

1100 Fifth Line East

Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6J8