Request for access to documents or release of personal information

The Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information (hereinafter referred to as the “Act respecting access”) sets out the general principal that every person has a right of access, upon request, to the documents held by the OACIQ.

That being said, certain conditions must be met in order for the person in charge of access (hereinafter referred to as “person in charge”) to give access to a document:

• The document must be held by the OACIQ;
• The request for access must be specific enough to allow the person in charge to locate the document;
• The document must not constitute a sketch, an outline, a draft, a preliminary note or other document of the same nature;
• The release of the document must not require computation or comparison of information.

Certain restrictions set out in the Act respecting access can also warrant a refusal of access. Indeed, the person in charge may or must refuse:

• to release or confirm the existence of information if its disclosure would likely:
  • hamper a future or current investigation or an investigation that may be reopened;
  • reveal a method of investigation, a confidential source of information, or a program or plan of action designed to prevent, detect or repress statutory offences;
  • cause prejudice to the person who is the source or the subject of the information;
• to communicate a decision of the OACIQ Discipline Committee on the ground that it was obtained when the Committee was holding a sitting in camera, or where the Committee issued, in respect of the decision, an order of non-publication, disclosure, or distribution;
• to disclose a test intended for the comparative appraisal of a person’s knowledge, aptitudes, competence or experience, until the test is no longer used.

Likewise, the person in charge shall refuse to release personal information that is not related to the applicant, unless the person concerned by this information agrees to its release and that no restrictions are applicable.

Submitting a request

It is possible to submit to the person in charge a verbal or written request, but only the response regarding a written request is subject to review by the Commission d'accès à l'information. Also, a request for release of personal information can be considered only if it is made in writing. The response time frame set by the Act respecting access is 20 days and may be extended by 10 days, if necessary.

Transcription, reproduction or transmission costs of documents may be charged in accordance with the Regulation respecting fees for the transcription, reproduction or transmission of documents or personal information. Consultation on the premises is free of charge.

To make your process easier, the OACIQ invites you to use the Request for access to documents or release of personal information form provided for this purpose.

For any questions, please contact us:
Telephone: 450-462-9800/1-800-440-7170
Email:   aiprp@oaciq.com