Access to Information Act (ATIA) and Protection of Privacy Act (POPA)

On June 11, 2025, the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and its accompanying regulations were officially proclaimed, marking a significant update to Alberta's information and privacy legislation. With its proclamation, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) has been formally repealed. In its place, the new Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) modernizes ad strengthens the privacy provisions that were previously established under FOIP.

These Acts give individuals the right to access records held by the Town of Taber, while balancing the need to protect privacy and sensitive information. 

Principles of the ATIA

1. Any person has a right of access to the records in the custody or under the control of a public body subject to specific and limited exceptions. 

2. Allows individuals a right to access personal information about themselves, subject to specific and limited exceptions. 

3. Provides for independent reviews of decisions made by public bodies and resolution of complaints under the ATIA.

 The purpose of POPA is to:

1. Provide guidance to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by public bodies. 
2. Allow individuals the right to request corrections to their personal information held by a public body. 
3. Enable public bodies to data match and allow the creation, use, and disclosure of non-personal data and data derived from personal information. 
4. Require public bodies to protect personal information including when data matching, and creating, using, and disclosure of data derived from personal information and non-personal data. 
5. Allow for independent review of decisions made and resolution of complaints made against public bodies. 

The ATIA and POPA incorporate both existing provisions that were in the FOIP Act, as well as new or revised provisions that focus on increased clarity, regulatory accountability, and administrative updates.