Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA)

The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the ATIPPA) is designed to create a culture of openness and accountability in the public sector while protecting the personal information of citizens and commercially sensitive information of businesses. It applies to all public bodies (defined in the ATIPPA), including government departments, agencies, health boards, school boards and municipalities. The ATIPPA does not apply to the private sector.

 The purpose of the ATIPPA is:

• to provide the public with the right of access to records, and
• to protect the privacy of individuals whose personal information is collected, used and disclosed by public bodies.

 The ATIPPA came into force on January 17, 2005 with the exception of Part IV (protection of privacy provisions) of the Act. The protection of privacy provisions came into force on January 16, 2008. As required by the legislation, the ATIPPA was reviewed in 2010. The Act was subsequently amended in 2012 and the new provisions came into force on June 27, 2012.

Review of the ATIPPA is required every five years. On March 18, 2014, a three-person independent review committee was appointed to undertake the statutory review, including the June 2012 amendments. The ATIPPA 2015 came into force on June 1, 2015 replacing the previous Act.

How can I make an ATIPPA request for general or personal non-medical information?

To make a request under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA), please submit the Form 1 – Access to Information Request Form (PDF) via email to atipp@nlhealthservices.ca, or via mail to:

NLHS ATIPP Coordinator

Privacy Department

760 Topsail Road

Mount Pearl, NL  A1N 3J5

Additional information can be found at:

Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Office

A copy of the ATIPPA 2015 can be found at:

http://assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/statutes/a01-2.htm