Town of Ponoka

What is the Protection of Privacy Act?

The Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) came into force on June 11, 2025, and replaced the privacy provisions of the former Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act. It establishes clear rules for how municipalities and other public bodies must collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal information in their custody or control.

Your Rights Under POPA

• Request correction of any inaccuracies in your personal information held by the municipality by filling out the Correction of Personal Information Form.
• Make a privacy complaint directly to our Access and Privacy Coordinator
• If unresolved, escalate complaints to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta

POPA permits the use of your personal information by a public body. For example, in a municipality, property owners' names and mailing addresses are collected to operate the municipality, including compiling the tax assessment roll. This information may be used for other purposes related to the operation of a municipality, such as providing services and utilities. Under POPA, public bodies can create non-personal data for research, analysis, or the planning, delivery, or evaluation of a program or service. Common uses include analysis to identify trends (e.g., how many people from different demographics are using a service) or to improve the services provided.

What is the Access to Information Act?

The Access to Information Act (ATIA) also came into effect on June 11, 2025, replacing the access provisions of the FOIP Act. It grants you the legal right to request records in the custody or control of any Alberta public body, subject to limited and specific exemptions. This Act is in addition to and does not replace existing procedures for access to information or records.

Citizens are encouraged to check with the Town of Ponoka before submitting an access to information and privacy request to see if the information is already publicly available. Many types of information can be accessed without an access to information and privacy request, such as publications, brochures, forms, reports and information about programs and services offered by the Town, and records that are made available through other legislation or programs (e.g., certificates, licenses, etc.).

Making an Access Request

• Submit your request by completing the Access to Information Request Form and submitting it to the Access and Privacy Coordinator.  
  • If you're requesting records other than your own personal information, a non-refundable $25 application fee applies. Please call the Town at 403-783-4431 to pay over the phone with a credit card, by mailing a cheque addressed to the Town of Ponoka, or in-person at the Town Office on the second floor of the Ponoka Civic Centre.
• Certain exceptions under ATIA provide public bodies with the authority to refuse access to specific types of information. These exceptions are in place to balance the public's right of access with the need to protect personal privacy, security, and confidential matters. 
• You can submit an access to information and privacy request request on behalf of someone else, provided you have their written consent or legal authorization to do so. The Town will ask for proof of authorization before processing these types of requests

If you disagree with how we handled your request—whether due to refusal, fee assessment or delay—you may ask the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta to review our decision. 

For help with either Act—whether you wish to submit a request, seek a correction, or file a complaint—please contact our Access and Privacy Coordinator.

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