Information Requests

Information Requests

Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests

British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) enables the public to request and obtain copies of records held by all public bodies when those records are not routinely available.

*Please note: This page is about Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Questions about or requests for student records should be directed to student_records@sd42.ca.

How do I submit a request?

If you would like to request records from School District No. 42, and those records are not routinely available through a school district owned website, you can make a formal request for records.

All formal requests for records must be done in writing and provide sufficient detail to assist staff in locating/retrieving the records sought. You may use the Freedom of Information Request Form or you may submit your request in your own format with the required information listed below.

When submitting your request for records please:

  • Try to provide sufficient and specific details of the records you seek. Broad, complex requests, or requests for “all records” take longer to process and increase the likelihood of longer timelines of delivery and larger fees being charged to you.
  • Use specific dates of records you are requesting along with locations (if applicable)
To whom do I submit the request?

All formal requests must be submitted in person, mailed, or emailed to:

Attention: FOI Coordinator
Email: privacy@sd42.ca
School District No. 42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows)
22225 Brown Avenue
Maple Ridge, BC
V2X 8N6

Will I be charged a fee for requesting records?

In accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act  (“FIPPA”), access to personal information is free of charge. For all other requests, the school district charges a $10 filing fee for each access request. Please note to ensure the fee is not a barrier to access, Indigenous Governing Entities will not be required to pay application fees.

Section 75 of FIPPA permits the school district to charge additional fees for:

  • Locating, retrieving and producing the record
  • Preparing the record for disclosure
  • Shipping and handling the record
  • Providing a copy of the record

You will be notified of the additional costs associated with your request once these costs have been determined.

How long does it take to complete an FOI request?

Under FIPPA, public bodies have 30 business days to respond to your request for records. 

In certain circumstances, the public body may take a 30 business days time extension. Such circumstances include:

  • where you have not given the public body enough detail to identify a requested record;
  • there is a large number of records and meeting your request within the time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the public body;
  • more time is needed by the public body to consult with a third party or another public body.
What records are available to the public without a request?

Section 71(1) of the Act states certain records must be available to the public without a request for access. Those records can be found here.

Whom can I contact if I have further questions?

If you have further questions about the Freedom of Information (FOI) process, please contact the FOI Coordinator at privacy@sd42.ca.

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Our mission is to support all individuals in their development as successful learners, and as respectful, caring and responsible members of society.