In addition to the Education Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and the Personal Health Information and Protection Act (PHIPA) governs the collection, use and sharing/disclosure of personal information.

In accordance with legislation and Board-related policies and procedures, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board shares the personal information it collects as follows:

• for the purpose for which it was obtained or a consistent purpose;

• with Board officers or employees who need access to the information in the performance of their duties if necessary and the execution of the Board’s authorized functions;

• to comply with legislation, a court order or subpoena, or to aid in a law enforcement investigation conducted by a law enforcement agency; and

• in compelling circumstances affecting health or safety.

It is our practice to include a notice of collection statement on forms used to collect personal information to advise you how we will use and disclose the information.  

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act) establishes a general right of access to records held by municipal government, local agencies, school boards and commissions, using these principles:

• Any information held by government should, in general, be available to the public after completeing the SMCDSB FOI Request Form;

• Any exemptions from the right of access to information should be limited and specific;

• Any decisions relating to access to information can be reviewed by the independent Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario; and

• Any person may make a request for information held by a government institution covered by the Act.

FOI requests are made using the SMCDSB FOI Request Form

Form and Application Fee are to be submitted by mail to:

Attention: Privacy Office

Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board

46 Alliance Blvd.

Barrie, ON L4M 5K3

There is a mandatory $5.00 application fee that must be paid when submitting the SMCDSB FOI Request Form. Make the fee payable to the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Please be advised that the $5.00 application fee cannot be waived and is non-refundable.

Additional fees for searching, photocopying, severing, etc., may apply as outlined in Section 45 of the Act.

The Board responds to a request within 30 days of receiving the form and application fee. Requests requiring an extensive search, a large number of records, and/or consultation with an external third party may require an extension to the 30 days. If an extension is required you will be notified as outlined in Section 20 of the Act.

For more information, email the Privacy Officer at [email protected].

Additional information about access to information may be obtained by visiting the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC).