Alberta has modernized its access to information legislation. The Access to Information Act (ATIA) and regulations came into force on June 11, 2025. The Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and regulations also came into force on June 11, 2025. Upon proclamation of these Acts, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act was repealed.
The POPA and ATIA are provincial laws that apply to all public bodies in Alberta. The laws are designed to strike a balance between an individual’s right to privacy and the public’s right to know. The POPA and ATIA apply to the operations of the Division and to the records and data under the custody or control of Edmonton Catholic Schools.
The Acts ensure that Edmonton Catholic Schools:
- Provides a general right of access to the information held by the Division.
- Protects the privacy of individuals’ personal information.
To ensure compliance, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta has the authority to provide independent review and resolution of actions Edmonton Catholic Schools takes under the POPA and ATIA.
Protection of Privacy Act (POPA)
The Protection of Privacy Act, commonly known as the POPA, enhances and builds on the protection of privacy rules that were in the former FOIP Act.
The POPA introduces a privacy by design approach to programs and services delivered by public bodies, has the strictest penalties in Canada for the misuse of Albertan’s personal information, and supports more effective delivery of programs and services across public bodies by allowing for common and integrated programs.
The purpose of the POPA is to:
- provide guidance to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by public bodies
- allow individuals the right to request corrections to their personal information held by a public body
- enable public bodies to data match and allow the creation, use, and disclosure of non-personal data and data derived from personal information
- require public bodies to protect personal information, including when data matching, and creating, using, and disclosure of data derived from personal information and non-personal data
- allow for independent review of decisions made and resolution of complaints made against public bodies
The POPA prohibits the selling of personal information in any circumstances or for any purpose, including for marketing or advertising.
Access to Information Act (ATIA)
The Access to Information Act (ATIA) is the cornerstone of open, accessible, and accountable government for the people of Alberta.
The ATIA aims to strike a balance between transparency and the confidentiality required to ensure the effective operation of government.
Principles of the ATIA
- Any person has a right of access to the records in the custody or under the control of a public body subject to specific and limited exceptions.
- Allows individuals a right to access personal information about themselves, subject to specific and limited exceptions.
- Provides for independent reviews of decisions made by public bodies and resolution of complaints under the ATIA.
Protection of Privacy
The POPA provides all individuals with the right to privacy and requires Edmonton Catholic Schools to take reasonable measures to protect against any unauthorized collection, use, or disclosure of personal information. Under the POPA, personal information is defined as any recorded information about an identifiable individual, including, but not limited to, an individual’s name, address, age, educational history, identifying number, and health and health care history.
Edmonton Catholic Schools collects information through a variety of methods. The personal information in the custody or control of the Division is considered private, is treated with confidentiality, and is kept secure. The disclosure of this information is done on a need to know basis only, and only as permitted by statutory law.
There are instances in which Edmonton Catholic Schools may use and disclose the personal information in its possession without the express consent of affected individuals. These uses and disclosures are limited to those that are necessary for the purposes of delivering educational programming and ensuring the safety of staff and students. In accordance with a defined number of circumstances outlined in the ATIA and POPA, Edmonton Catholic Schools may also be obligated to disclose personal information to other entities.
When Edmonton Catholic Schools uses, and/or discloses personal information for reasons not directly related to delivering educational programming or ensuring student and staff safety, written consent is required. For activities that support student learning, Edmonton Catholic Schools asks students and/or parents/guardians to provide written consent for such uses of their personal information during the student registration process and as needed throughout the school year. This consent is voluntary and may be revoked, in writing, at any time.
Accessing Records
Edmonton Catholic Schools has always made information available to students, their parents/guardians, employees, and the public.
Most information can be obtained outside of the ATIA by asking the school or department directly, or by going to the Division website. The ATIA is complementary to, and does not replace, existing procedures for obtaining information held by Edmonton Catholic Schools. However, any routine disclosure of personal information by Edmonton Catholic Schools must comply with the ATIA and POPA.
Documents Already Available
In keeping with our desire to be open and transparent with the public, Edmonton Catholic Schools routinely discloses the Division education plan, budget, audited financial statements, minutes of public Board meetings, policies, and Division achievement and diploma results. These and other documents concerning Division operations are made publicly available on our website.
In many instances, information is provided to individuals without having to submit a formal Access to Information request. For all inquiries, please contact the school or department directly to request information. An Access to Information request is considered the last alternative in the acquisition of information.
Making A Request Under ATIA
If the requested information is not released through routine disclosure and the explanation for why it is being withheld is unsatisfactory, a request can be made under the ATIA. Access to Information requests must be made in writing to the Division Privacy and Access Specialist, who is available to make every reasonable effort to assist applicants throughout the formal Access to Information request process. The Access to Information Request Form and instructions on the process are available from the Privacy and Access Specialist.
Please note that requests for general information must include a cheque for the initial $25 processing fee made payable to the Edmonton Catholic School Division. If applicable, fee estimates will be provided to applicants in accordance with the rates outlined in the ATIA Regulation.
Once a request has been received, a letter will be sent to the Applicant acknowledging receipt of the request and the date by which a response will be provided. If required, the Applicant may be contacted to clarify their request, to ensure that the Division can respond accurately and in accordance with legislated timeframes. The ATIA stipulates that public bodies have 30 business days to respond to requests. Under a limited number of conditions, a public body may exercise its right to extend the deadline for response.
Once the response is complete, a letter and the response package will be physically mailed to the Applicant. The response letter will explain the contents of the release, inform the Applicant of their right to request a review through the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and, if applicable, identify any exceptions to disclosure that were applied to the records.
Privacy and Access Specialist
Edmonton Catholic Schools
Lumen Christi Catholic Education Centre
9405 50 Street NW,
Edmonton, AB T6B 2T4
Telephone: 780-441-6000
Fax: 780-423-3031
Edmonton Catholic Schools treats student information with respect and confidentiality. At the same time, we strive to make as much information as possible available to all members of the public. How we handle information is directed by the Education Act, the Student Record Regulation, the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), the Access to Information Act (ATIA), the Children First Act, other legislation, protocols, and our Division Administrative Procedures.
In accordance with section 57 of the POPA, a list of Edmonton Catholic Schools’ personal information banks can be found here.