So we get this call on the OBS line today, from some lad in Alberta. He has seen a picture of a boat for sale somewhere and based simply on the boat's license number, he wants us to provide him with the owner's name, address, phone number, etc... Pretty funny, really.
First of all, this lad has obviously never heard about the Privacy Act. Amongst other things, it dictates how various federal departments and agencies protect and safeguard your personal information. It's also the body of federal law that dictates how other entities and businesses must do the same.
So no, there is no way to obtain that information, short of a formal request to the ATIP coordinator (Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator) for either Service Canada or Transport Canada.
What's an ATIP do? Each federal organization subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act has an access to information and privacy coordinator, and must provide access to the records for which it is responsible, while protecting the personal information contained in these records.
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Information and Privacy Policy Division administrates the Access to Information and Privacy Acts, provides related information and publishes Info Source, a series of publications destined to assist individuals in exercising their rights under the Access to Information Act.
Transport Canada's Office of the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator processes requests for information made under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and carries out related functions on behalf of Transport Canada.
There is a $5 fee (non-taxable) for each request for information made under the Access to Information Act. This fee is payable to the receiver general for Canada by cheque or money order.
Depending on the request, additional fees may be charged. When this is the case, applicants are notified of any additional charges before their request is processed.
There are no fees for requests for information made under the Privacy Act.
Applicants must use the Access to Information Request or Personal Information Request forms to submit their requests for information.
These forms are available through the Office or on-line through the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Information and Privacy Policy Division and should preferably be submitted by mail. So no, you can't phone it in...
Applicants who cannot obtain the appropriate forms may send a letter in lieu of the forms stating that they are submitting their request under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.
Federal organizations must process requests for information within 30 days of the date of receipt. If an extension is required, the organization must notify the applicant within that time period.
So there you have it. A crash course in applying to obtain information from any federal government entity. Just remember that YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ALL INFORMATION HELD BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Surely nobody could be stupid enough to believe that they do, but I'm just puttin' it out there... in case. Like, do YOU have the right to access any personal information files on ME? Don't make me laugh... You have access to some of the federal files that hold information on YOU, yes... But not the other way around, obviously.
Want the mailing address for any ATIP coordinator in the government? Call 1 800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232, 8am - 8pm, Mon. - Fri.)
First of all, this lad has obviously never heard about the Privacy Act. Amongst other things, it dictates how various federal departments and agencies protect and safeguard your personal information. It's also the body of federal law that dictates how other entities and businesses must do the same.
So no, there is no way to obtain that information, short of a formal request to the ATIP coordinator (Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator) for either Service Canada or Transport Canada.
What's an ATIP do? Each federal organization subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act has an access to information and privacy coordinator, and must provide access to the records for which it is responsible, while protecting the personal information contained in these records.
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Information and Privacy Policy Division administrates the Access to Information and Privacy Acts, provides related information and publishes Info Source, a series of publications destined to assist individuals in exercising their rights under the Access to Information Act.
Transport Canada's Office of the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator processes requests for information made under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and carries out related functions on behalf of Transport Canada.
There is a $5 fee (non-taxable) for each request for information made under the Access to Information Act. This fee is payable to the receiver general for Canada by cheque or money order.
Depending on the request, additional fees may be charged. When this is the case, applicants are notified of any additional charges before their request is processed.
There are no fees for requests for information made under the Privacy Act.
Applicants must use the Access to Information Request or Personal Information Request forms to submit their requests for information.
These forms are available through the Office or on-line through the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Information and Privacy Policy Division and should preferably be submitted by mail. So no, you can't phone it in...
Applicants who cannot obtain the appropriate forms may send a letter in lieu of the forms stating that they are submitting their request under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.
Federal organizations must process requests for information within 30 days of the date of receipt. If an extension is required, the organization must notify the applicant within that time period.
So there you have it. A crash course in applying to obtain information from any federal government entity. Just remember that YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ALL INFORMATION HELD BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. Surely nobody could be stupid enough to believe that they do, but I'm just puttin' it out there... in case. Like, do YOU have the right to access any personal information files on ME? Don't make me laugh... You have access to some of the federal files that hold information on YOU, yes... But not the other way around, obviously.
Want the mailing address for any ATIP coordinator in the government? Call 1 800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232, 8am - 8pm, Mon. - Fri.)
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