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Skip Navigation LinksSimcoe County > Government > Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

​​There are two key pieces of legislation that govern how the County of Simcoe handles personal information and personal health information, they are:

The County of Simcoe is a shareholder in the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, which is governed by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act​.

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) provides the right to access municipal records, subject to certain limitations and exemptions.  It also provides the right to access one’s own personal information and to correct it.  The Act further requires municipalities to protect personal information by controlling the collection, use, disclosure, and disposal of information.

Personal Health Information Protection Act

The Personal Health Information Protection Act​ establish rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information about individuals that protect the confidentiality of that information and the privacy of individuals with respect to that information, while facilitating the effective provision of health care;

(a) to provide individuals with a right of access to personal health information about themselves, subject to limited and specific exceptions set out in this Act;

(b)  to provide individuals with a right to require the correction or amendment of personal health information about themselves, subject to limited and specific exceptions set out in this Act;

(c)  to provide for independent review and resolution of complaints with respect to personal health information; and

(d)  to provide effective remedies for contraventions of this Act.​​

Access

If you are interested in obtaining access to records held by the County, you are first encouraged to contact the department that would be responsible for the record to see if the records are available by way of routine disclosure.  Some records or portions of them may contain information that is subject to exemption(s) from disclosure in accordance with one of the two Acts noted above.  Should this occur, the department may ask for a formal access request to be submitted pursuant to the applicable Act.

Your request for information under MFIPPA must be made in writing by completing the appropriate Access/Correction Request Form or by writing a letter.  

For general or personal information, your written request must be accompanied by a non-refundable $5 application fee.  Cheques are to be made payable to the County of Simcoe.

If you choose to write a letter rather than complete an Access Request form, please include the following information:
  • your name
  • your full mailing address
  • a telephone number where you can be reached during the day
  • as much detail as possible as to the specific records (or type of records) you are seeking

Mail, drop-off or email your completed Access/Correction Request or letter, along with the $5.00 application fee to:

Municipal Freedom of Information Coordinator
County Clerk’s Department
1110 Highway 26
Midhurst, Ontario  L9X 1N6
Email: clerks@simcoe.ca ​

Please note: the following additional fees may apply as per Section 45 of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act:

  • Manually searching a record - $7.50 per ¼ hour
  • Preparing record for disclosure - $7.50 per ¼ hour
  • Photocopying - $0.20 per page
  • Computer programming $15.00 - per ¼ hour
  • Records on CD ROM - $10.00 for each CD ROM
  • Other (invoiced) charges associated with locating, retrieving, processing or copying records

For personal health information, submit a written request on the prescribed form linked below:

If you choose to write a letter rather than complete an Access Request form, please include the following information:

  • your name
  • your full mailing address
  • a telephone number where you can be reached during the day
  • as much detail as possible as to the specific records (or type of records) you are seeking

Fees may be applicable under Personal Health Information Protection Act. A health information custodian may waive all or part of a fee being charged if the custodian feels it is fair and equitable to do so.​

Video Surveillance Cameras

Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure

Residents and visitors to the County of Simcoe should note that the County uses surveillance cameras to aid in protecting property, limiting liability, promoting public safety, ensuring the health and safety for our residents and visitors and supporting law enforcement efforts in reducing and investigating offences.

Legal Authority for the collection of personal information is Section 11 of the Municipal Act, and in accordance with Section 29(1) (f) and (g) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

A list of all County owned facilities and vehicles that have surveillance cameras installed are listed below:

  • Administration Centre
  • All social housing buildings
  • All Ontario Works offices
  • All long term care homes
  • All waste management facilities
  • All LINX and LINX+ transit vehicles (includes audio recordings in the vehicles)
  • All line painting and pilot vehicles

If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information, please contact the County Clerk at 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst or 705-726-9300 ext. 1623.

This Notice will be available in alternate format or with communication support, upon request.