Accessing Information through FOIP

The Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, better known as FOIP, is Provincial Legislation that applies to all public bodies in Alberta. This includes Strathcona County.

Making a FOIP Request

FOIP allows anyone to formally request access to any record in the custody or under the control of Strathcona County, so long as those records are not already publicly available through some other means.

This formal process is called a FOIP request, and in Strathcona County they are managed through the FOIP Office located in the Legislative and Legal Services Department.

There are two types of FOIP requests.

1. Personal Information Requests – Occur when an individual requests access to personal information about themselves. Typical examples of personal information requests include a person requesting access to their own counselling records or records of employment with the County. Personal information requests do not require payment of the initial fee, however fees may be charged for photocopying large volumes of records.
   
    
2. General Information Requests – Occur when an individual or corporate entity request access to general information about something. Typical examples of general information requests include an insurance company requesting access to a fire investigation report, a member of the public requesting access to information related to a bylaw enforcement matter, or an interest group requesting access to information about expenditures. General information requests require the payment of an initial fee of $25, and in some cases, additional fees may be assessed as set out in the FOIP Regulation.

Strathcona County has 30 days to respond to FOIP requests. This time frame may be extended in certain circumstances.

If you would like to make a FOIP request, please fill out the FOIP application form and submit it by mail, or in person to:

Fees may be paid by cash or cheque payable to Strathcona County. Please do not mail cash.

Please note: if you have been authorized to act on behalf of another individual to access their personal information, Strathcona County requires that the provincial Authorization of Representative & Affidavit of Witness be completed and the original documents sent to our office before the request is commenced. 

We are here to help - If you have any questions or concerns about FOIP, please contact the FOIP Office at FOIP@strathcona.ca