The Regional Municipality of Durham’s Corporate Services – Legislative Services Division opened its Access and Privacy Officein Whitby yesterday.
While information and privacy requests have always been processed through the Region, the creation of this dedicated office highlights the importance placed on public access to information, and supports the government’s goal of transparency and accountability.
The Access and Privacy Office ensures that Durham Region provides residents and organizations access to information on Regional decisions and actions, while protecting the privacy of individuals and personal/sensitive information, said a media statement.
The office will oversee the Region’s Privacy Management Program; process access to information requests; educate employees and external stakeholders on the Region’s privacy practices; and manage responses to privacy complaints and appeals to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
“The opening of the council-sponsored Access and Privacy Office is another step forward in accountability and transparency for Durham Region,” said John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “It is really an acknowledgement of the importance we place on supporting individual rights for access to information, and the fulfillment of our duty to uphold legislative requirements.”
Regional Council approved the creation of the office following changes in the municipal landscape, in addition to the increasing number of information requests, and public expectation of increased access to governments and records of decision-making.
“Durham Region has a duty to maintain the public’s trust in the collection, use and disclosure of their information,” said Ralph Walton, Regional Clerk and the Region’s designated Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) Co-ordinator. “Residents and the public can now do this through a designated and accessible space, and feel confident in the knowledge that there is a current and effective privacy management program in place.”
The Access to Information page on durham.ca provides more information on public access; making a Freedom of Information request and more. The Access and Privacy Office is located on level 1 of Regional Headquarters, at 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby; and can be contacted at 905-668-7711 ext. 2204 or by email at foi@durham.ca.