Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:
The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is legislation that covers Ontario’s municipalities, local boards and police services. The Act provides two separate rights:
- The right of access to information under the control of the police in accordance with the principles that information should be available to the public and exemptions from this right should be limited and specific.
- To protect the privacy of individuals where their personal information is held by the police.
The Act allows individuals to make privacy complaints should they believe a member of a police service has violated their privacy rights. Contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s office at 1-800-387-0073 or 416-326-3333 or TTY 416-325-7539 regarding the complaint procedure or visit www.ipc.on.ca.
How to Make a Request:
An access request form is provided for your assistance in filing and can be downloaded in .pdf format.You can find a .pdf copy of the Freedom of Information Request Form here.
Please provide as much detail in your description of the records you are accessing, identifying the date, time, location, incident number, subject of the record and investigating officers. You must provide sufficient detail to enable us to identify the record(s). If there is insufficient detail we will ask you for clarification and if clarification is not sufficient we will not process your request.
Upon completion of this form and any other appropriate documents, the application may be dropped off at the Thunder Bay Police Service. When dropping off applications, you must pay the $5.00 legislated application fee. A receipt will be provided. You will be asked to show proof of identity. Please provide two pieces of government issued identification, one being photo identification.
If you are unable to attend the Thunder Bay Police Service, you must mail in your request with notarized copies of your identification. Please do not send cash in the mail. We will accept cheques or money orders made payable to the Thunder Bay Police Service.
If you are acting on behalf of a client or insured party please enclose a signed authorization or consent form addressed to the Thunder Bay Police Service along with the $5.00 legislated application fee.
Completed forms along with the application fee and authorization should be sent to:
Mailing Address For Your Request:
Thunder Bay Police Service
Freedom of Information Unit
1200 Balmoral Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 5Z5
Contact Us:
(807) 317-0138
You will receive a written response with 30 days.
Fees
In addition to the $5.00 application fee Section 45 of the Act allows for fees in the amount prescribed by the regulations and in certain instances where fees can be waived.
When personal information is available for pick-up, you will receive a phone call. You will have to attend in person at Thunder Bay Police Service with proper government identification and photo identification.
Appealing a Decision
An individual may appeal any decision made by the Service. Appeals should be directed to:
Information and Privacy Commissioner
Suite 1400
2 Bloor Street East
Toronto, ON M4W 1A8
Toll Free 1-800-387-0073
Find the Information and Privacy Commissioner on the web at: www.ipc.on.ca