Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests
(Access Requests)

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) contains not only privacy provisions but access as well. This means that individuals have a right to request access to general records and their own personal information held by the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board in accordance with MFIPPA and the Education Act. Exemptions to the right of access are limited and specific and are defined in MFIPPA.

Students/parents/guardians can request access to personal information held by the Board by contacting the teacher or principal of the school they or their child attends. Please be aware that while an individual has access to their own personal information and general records, they do not have a right to access personal information about another individual. Board staff must comply with MFIPPA and the Education Act and will provide you with the information you request as long as you are legally entitled to receive it.

Former students can access their records at the school they last attended after graduating/leaving. Former students, if they choose, may also make a formal access request for their personal information under MFIPPA.

To make a formal request for information, you must complete the form and pay a $5.00 application fee. Once both are received by the Privacy Officer, the process begins.

Access to Information Form (requestors MUST download and use this form). Due to BHNCDSB’s electronic communication safeguards including our mail system filters, and BHNCDSB’s record processing practices, request language placed in the body of an email will not be processed).

To submit the form:

• Email the completed form as an attachment to records@bhncdsb.ca

OR

• Mail or drop off  the completed form to the attention of the Privacy and Information Management Officer, 322 Fairview Drive, Brantford, ON  N3T 5M8.

To submit the $5.00 processing fee:

• E-transfer to EFT-Receipts@bhncdsb.ca  (Please note ‘FOI Request’ and the Requestor’s First and Last Name during the process.)

OR

• Send a cheque payable to the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (Attn: Privacy Officer) to 322 Fairview Drive, Brantford, ON  N3T 5M8.

All requests are reviewed within 30 days.

If you are making a request to access general information, the following fees (payable via EFT or cheque) apply:

• $5.00 administration fee to accompany the request form;
• Search time – $7.50 per 1/4 hour;
• Record preparation – $7.50 per 1/4 hour;
• Photocopying/printing – $0.20 per page;
• Computer Programming – $15.00 per 1/4 hour;
• Courier/postal fees (if applicable)

If you are making a request to access personal information, the following fees apply:

• $5.00 administration fee to accompany the request form;
• Photocopying/printing – $0.20 per page;
• Courier/postal fees (if applicable)

Additional fees:

• Fee to redact the personal information of individuals in images and/or video. Redaction to a video record is provided by a third party services and out of the control of the Board. The Board will do their best to estimate the cost to the requestor.

When the fee will be more than $25, a statement from the Board with the total fee estimate will be provided. In cases where the estimate is over $100, a 50% deposit is required before the records will be prepared.

All fees are payable before the requested records will be provided.

MFIPPA does permit the waiver of payment for all or part of the fee in certain circumstances.

Questions and/or concerns related to privacy issues or Freedom of Information requests can be directed to:

Tracey Austin, Manager of Communications and Community Relations | Privacy Officer
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
322 Fairview Drive, Brantford, ON  N3T 5M8

Email: communicationservices@bhncdsb.ca

Phone: 519-756-6505 Ext. 11234