Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act) promotes two general principles:

  • Freedom of Information (FOI- which is the idea that people ought to have access to records held by public bodies (with a few limited exceptions)
  • Protection of Privacy - which is the idea that a person has the right to expect that information about oneself will not be collected, used or disclosed without their consent

These concepts are described in further detail in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Protection of Privacy

In the most basic form, privacy is an individual’s right to live without being observed or disturbed by others. In modern society, privacy also covers what is called informational privacy. Informational privacy is the idea that a person has the right to expect that information about oneself will not be collected without their consent, or without them voluntarily disclosing the information.

Protection of Privacy is one of the key concepts underlying Fair Information Practices. These practices guide public bodies like the City of Coquitlam in determining what personal information should be collected, how the information can be used and to whom the information should be disclosed or shared.

The ’Protection of Privacy’ regulations contained in the Act hold the City to very strict standards around the collection, storage, use and disclosure of personal information. Should you have any concerns regarding the City’s collection of information and your privacy please email the Privacy Office.