Access to Information and Privacy Division

The Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Division fulfills Health Canada's obligation to comply with Canada's laws on access to information and on the protection of personal information.

The ATIP Division:

• Administers the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act on behalf of the Department.
• Reports to Parliament annually outlining the volume of access to information and privacy requests received, and how the Department has responded to those requests.
• Responds to requests for records under the Access to Information Act and for personal information under the Privacy Act. The Division works with requestors to ensure that they understand how best to obtain records that are held by Health Canada, and to help explain how the Department implements the Acts.
• Is accountable on behalf of the Department for personal information under our control. The ATIP Division ensures the right of eligible requestors to know what personal information is held within Health Canada and to have access to that information, subject to certain justifiable exemptions or exclusions.
• Strengthens access to information and privacy practices across the Department by developing corporate policies, training and awareness programs to ensure compliance with legislation. The Division also works with stakeholders on the protection of personal health information within the broader health sector and on policy with the provincial and territorial governments.
• Offers advice to those who have an access or privacy problem, want to learn more about these issues, or just want to find out more about how access to information and privacy works at Health Canada.

More Information

• Contact us - We are ready to assist those seeking advice or wishing to file a request for records or personal information.
• Info Source - Info Source provides details on the Government of Canada's information holdings.
• Legislation and Resources - Federal, provincial and territorial legislation and other resources related to access to information and privacy.
• Privacy - Details about internal measures to strengthen Departmental privacy management, and to mitigate privacy risks.
• Request Access to Information or Personal Information - Instructions on how to file a request for records or personal information.