For the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), compliance to the Access to Information and Privacy legislation is an essential part of the organization's commitment to transparency and ethical values. The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) office is part of the NRC Secretary General's Office (NRC-SGO). Our mandate is to administer the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, and to ensure that NRC is in compliance with legislative and policy requirements.

About the Laws

The purpose of the Access to Information Act is to provide Canadian citizens, permanent residents and any person present in Canada, the right of access to information contained in government records, subject to certain specific and limited exceptions.

The Privacy Act extends to individuals the right of access to information about themselves held by the government, subject to specific and limited exceptions. The Privacy Act also protects the privacy rights of individuals by limiting collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

Annual Reports to Parliament

Section 72 of both the Access to Information Act and of the Privacy Act require that the head of every government institute shall prepare, for submission to Parliament, an annual report on the administrations of the Acts during each fiscal year. For more specific information as to how NRC discharges its responsibilities in relation to the Acts, refer to our annual reports to Parliament:

2008-2009
NRC - Access to Information Act Annual Report
NRC - Privacy Act Annual Report

2009-2010
NRC - Access to Information Act Annual Report
NRC - Privacy Act Annual Report

2010-2011
NRC - Access to Information Act Annual Report
NRC - Privacy Act Annual Report

NRC's Information Holdings

To find out about NRC's information holdings visit the Info Source website which contains a series of publications about and/or collected by the Government of Canada. The primary purpose of Info Source is to assist individuals exercise their rights under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. Info Source also supports the federal government's commitment in facilitating access to information and its activities.

How to File a Request

A request for information pursuant to the Access to Information Act must be submitted in writing clearly explaining what records are requested. The Access to Information Request Form may be used or a straightforward letter accompanied by the prescribed application fee of $5.00 (cheque or money order made payable to the Receiver General of Canada).

A request for personal information pursuant to the Privacy Act must be submitted in writing with the Personal Information Request Form or a straightforward letter. There is no fee to request your personal information.

Requests are to be sent to the following address:

Access to Information and Privacy office
National Research Council of Canada
Building M-58
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0R6

Both Acts allow for a legal response time of 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of an official request. The Acts also allow for legal extensions to the first 30 calendar-day response time. You will be notified should an extension of the response time be required under either Act. Click here to find the principles followed by NRC in assisting requestors.

Right of Redress

Applicants who feel their requests were handled unfairly or in violation of the Acts may file a complaint. Access-related matters are directed to the Office of the Information Commissioner for redress while privacy-related matters go to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

http://www.infocom.gc.ca/eng/
http://www.priv.gc.ca/index_e.cfm

For more Information on Access to Information and Privacy at the National Research Council of Canada, contact the ATIP office at (613) 949-7684 or via email : atip-aiprp@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca