The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Teachers can file complaints with province’s privacy commissioner

Question: I understand that the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) is investigating the minister of education’s use of teachers’ e-mail addresses on February 6, 2013. I’m interested in how the commissioner might hear from individual teachers on this matter. How do I file a complaint with the OIPC?

Answer: There are two ways in which to file a complaint with the privacy commissioner.

First, you can act on your own behalf. To do so, visit the OIPC website (www.oipc.ab.ca) and complete the complaint form found under the Forms tab. Send the completed form to the commissioner’s office at the address or fax number listed at the bottom of the form.

Second, you can contact the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s privacy officer and ask her about filing and administering the complaint on your behalf. If you choose this option, please contact Margaret Shane, ATA Privacy Officer, to obtain the required authorization forms. E-mail: Margaret.shane@ata.ab.ca

About the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC)

The OIPC is the regulatory body for the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act), the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (the PIPA Act, which governs private sector privacy). The commissioner also conducts inquiries under the Access to Motor Vehicle Information Regulation (AMVIR).