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On June 11, 2025, the Access to Information Act and the Protection of Privacy Act came into force, effectively replacing and repealing the former Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

These new provincial acts aim to strike a balance between the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy with regard to records held by the County.

Accessing County Information

The Government of Alberta's Access to Information Act (ATIA) allows you the right of access to:

  • Non-personal records held by the County; and
  • Personal records about yourself.

Disclosure of all information in the possession of Lac Ste. Anne County (“the County”) is subject to Access to Information Act (ATIA) and Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) legislation.

If you would like general information about County business or personal information about you, please submit an access to information request form. Submit the completed form (plus applicable fees) via regular mail to the attention of David Lawrence, Human Resources Manager, 56521 Rge Rd 65, PO Box 219, Sangudo, Alberta T0E 2A0.

Access to Information Request

Response Times

The County has 30 business days to respond to initial ATI requests. The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) may permit additional time if required (e.g., to contact third parties or to compile a large volume of requested documents).

Fees for General Information Requests

When you submit a request for general information, the initial fee is $25. Additional fees may be charged for processing costs over $150. There is no fee for a request for personal information unless the cost of producing copies exceeds $10.

Requests for General Information

If you are asking for general information:

  • Describe what you are looking for in detail
  • Include file numbers and dates where possible
  • Sign the form
  • Include a $25 application fee
  • Mail or deliver in person to the County Administration Office

Processing your request begins when the application fee is received. If the total cost for completing your request is estimated to be greater than $150, you will be notified and asked to pay a 50% deposit. Processing the request is suspended until the deposit is received.

When the request is completed, you will be notified of the actual costs and will be required to pay any outstanding balance before your records are provided to you.

Requests for Personal Information

To request personal information:

  • Describe the information about yourself that you wish to be disclosed
  • Include dates, names, aliases, file numbers, etc.
  • Sign the form
  • Mail or deliver in person to the County Administration Office

You are required to provide proof of identity before records containing your personal information are released. There is no fee for personal information, unless photocopying charges exceed $10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was it necessary to change the FOIP Act?

The Government of Alberta replaced the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) with two separate acts, the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), to modernize its legislation and create a clearer distinction between the public's right to access information and the rules for protecting personal privacy.

The old FOIP Act, in place since 1995, had become outdated and needed a comprehensive overhaul to address the complexities of the digital age.

Specifically, how do the new acts address new complexities?
  • Modernizing for the Digital Era: The previous legislation didn't adequately address modern challenges, especially with electronic records and new technologies. The new acts introduce several updates to address this:
    • Electronic Records: The ATIA now includes a specific definition for "electronic records," which encompasses various digital formats, including data, audio, and graphics.
    • Automated Systems: The POPA addresses the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence by requiring public bodies to notify individuals if their personal information will be used in an "automated system to generate content or make decisions."
  • Strengthening Privacy Protections: The POPA brings Alberta's public sector privacy laws more in line with other jurisdictions by introducing several new requirements:
    • Mandatory Breach Reporting: Public bodies must now report privacy breaches that pose a "real risk of significant harm."
    • Privacy Management Programs: Public bodies are required to establish and implement formal privacy management programs.
    • Increased Penalties: Fines for privacy breaches and other contraventions have been significantly increased.
Why replace one act with two separate acts?

The two acts were necessary to create a clearer, more modern, and robust legislative framework for both access to information and privacy protection.

By splitting the single act into two, the Province created a specialized framework that ensures transparency through the ATIA, while simultaneously strengthening privacy rights and protections through the POPA. This allows for more targeted updates and clearer responsibilities for both public bodies and citizens.

What does the ATIA cover?

The Access to Information Act (ATIA) focuses specifically on the public's right to access records held by public bodies. It modernizes the process for making requests and clarifies what information is available. For instance, the ATIA:

  • Redefines "electronic records" to include digital formats like audio and data.
  • Clarifies the circumstances under which public bodies can refuse or disregard a request.
  • Empowers public bodies to proactively release certain information without a formal request, promoting greater transparency.
What does the POPA cover?

The Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) is dedicated entirely to safeguarding personal information. This act was needed to implement stricter privacy rules and bring Alberta's public sector in line with other jurisdictions. Key features of the POPA include:

  • Mandatory breach reporting: Public bodies must now report privacy breaches that pose a "real risk of significant harm" to both the affected individuals and the Commissioner.
  • Privacy by design: It requires public bodies to embed privacy considerations into the design of new programs and services.
  • Stricter penalties: The act introduces significantly higher fines for individuals and organizations that knowingly misuse personal information
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