Freedom of Information (FOI) requests are processed through the Corporate Services Department at the District Hall. Requests for records should be as specific as possible and must include sufficient detail to allow the District to locate, access and retrieve the relevant records as quickly as possible. This form must also specify how the applicant wishes to receive the records (e.g., view in person, pick up a copy, or have the records mailed).

To make a request, please click on this link, fill out the online form and submit it to the District office via email (preferred), regular mail, fax, or in person to:

Records Coordinator
District of Hope P.O. Box 609 325 Wallace Street Hope, BC V0X 1L0	Tel.: 604-869-5671 Fax: 604-869-2275 Email: ssecord@hope.ca

FOI Review and Response:

Depending on the nature of the request, the District may or may not have custody and control of the records you seek (no responsive records). We will advise you in writing if we do not have any relevant records, and/or we may suggest another public body for you to contact further.

Upon receipt of your request, we will send you a letter of acknowledgment and begin searching for the records relating to your request. Sometimes, we may want to contact you (by telephone or email), to clarify or narrow the scope of your request. Also, under Section 7 of the FIPPA Act, the District has up to 30 business days to respond to the request. We will make every effort to respond sooner than the Act allows. However, in the event that the request requires further time to process (e.g. large volume), then we may request a 30 day extension.

FOI Fees and Fee Schedule:

The FOIPPA Act permits the District to charge fees (Section 75), for certain costs to provide you with the records. If there are extensive costs involved in retrieving and photocopying records to meet a request, then we will advise applicants in writing with a fee estimate letter. This letter will provide details on how applicable fees are assessed and your prior approval is required before we will proceed with processing the request. A portion of the fee may have to be paid prior to the request being processed. However, no charge is assessed for an applicant’s own personal information. Also, if an applicant simply wishes to view the records onsite, then fees may be reduced, because there would be no photocopying charges.

Commercial Applicants:

Commercial applicants include anyone making a request for record’s access to obtain information for commercial purposes. Commercial purposes are uses in connection with a trade, business, profession or other venture for profit, and are subject to fees that will be assessed in order to cover the actual cost of providing this service to them.

Complaints:

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the response to his request for information, under Section 52 of the Act, he may apply to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for a review within 30 days of receiving a response. It is advised, however, that applicants apply first to the District of Hope for a review of his access-to-information request in an effort to resolve the matter more expeditiously. If an applicant is still dissatisfied with the response, he may apply directly to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of BC for a review and include in this request:

1. The Applicants name, address and telephone number
2. The file number assigned to the request
3. The type of request that was made to the District of Hope (i.e. access, correction, fee complaint, time limit complaint, etc. or a copy of the request)
4. A copy of the District of Hope's decision, and
5. The reasons or grounds upon which a review is being requested

Questions or Concerns:

For information related to the Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act, please contact the District of Hope Records Coordinator or Director of Corporate Services.