Resources for the public sector - Federal
Because you work in the public sector, there are specific rules and guidelines that apply to your records. Being connected with resources tailored especially for you can make your job a lot easier, and ensure that you are in compliance with federal legislation.
Library and Archives Canada
Library and Archives Canada provides tools and guidance related to information management for federal government departments. If you work for a federal department that is covered by the Library and Archives of Canada Act, you will need to cooperate with Library and Archives Canada in order to transfer records to them for preservation or to destroy records with approval from the Librarian and Archivist. For more information please visit their website.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is responsible for overseeing compliance with the Privacy Act, which applies to federal government bodies, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. They are a public advocate for the privacy rights of Canadians, and provide education about privacy, respond to complaints, and advise federal government bodies about privacy practices and compliance. For more information, please visit their website.
Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada
If your department or agency is listed in Schedule 1 of the Access to Information Act, then the Act applies to you and there are specific rules and deadlines you need to abide by when responding to an Access to Information request. The Office of the Information Access Commissioner of Canada responds to complaints from people who believe that a federal public body has not complied with the Act, but their website has lots of information about the request process and a few other resources that you may find helpful.
Legislation
There are many pieces of legislation that will affect how you manage your records. Here are a list of some of the most common ones; click on the name of any Act below to see the full document.
The Library and Archives Canada Act describes Library and Archives Canada's mandate and responsibilities, including its relationship to federal government bodies with respect to government records.
The Access to Information Act defines the responsibilities of federal government bodies when it comes to responding to information requests. This includes deadlines for response, definitions of records that are eligible or exempted from disclosure, and the complaint process when a response is not provided or is not satisfactory to the requester.
The Privacy Act defines what federal government bodies can and can't do with the personal information they collect. This includes guidelines for collecting, retaining, and disposing of information, requests by individuals to access their own personal information, and the complaint process for any situation where a person feels their personal information has been improperly used.
The Library and Archives Canada Act describes Library and Archives Canada's mandate and responsibilities, including its relationship to federal government bodies with respect to government records.
The Access to Information Act defines the responsibilities of federal government bodies when it comes to responding to information requests. This includes deadlines for response, definitions of records that are eligible or exempted from disclosure, and the complaint process when a response is not provided or is not satisfactory to the requester.
The Privacy Act defines what federal government bodies can and can't do with the personal information they collect. This includes guidelines for collecting, retaining, and disposing of information, requests by individuals to access their own personal information, and the complaint process for any situation where a person feels their personal information has been improperly used.
This page was last modified on 2 October 2015