The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) establishes a process by which any individual can request access to information contained in records in the custody or control of the City of New Westminster.
FIPPA:
- Gives individuals rights to request copies of the City of New Westminster records and receive them in a timely manner. This includes records containing an individual's own personal information.
- Protects privacy by placing restrictions on the City of New Westminster when collecting or disclosing personal information.
FIPPA is applicable to all records in the custody and control of the City of New Westminster, subject to exceptions provided for in FIPPA.
Informal Requests
If the information is not available online the next step is to make an informal request to the department that you think might have the information you are looking for.
- Routinely Available Information Requests
These requests are for records commonly available to the public through a verbal or written request to the department. These requests do not require a Freedom of Information request. Contact the City department to find out if the records you want are routinely or readily available. A fee may be charged for this information, as set out in the Fees and Charges Bylaw or other applicable City bylaws or policies. Click here to access the list of routinely available documents.
- Information Requests
This is a request for information that requires a review of the records, by a departmental supervisor. This can also be a request for records that are not readily available, e.g. records stored in semi-active storage. As with routine information requests applicable fees may be charged. These requests are responded to within reasonable time frames for the sizes or location of the records requested.
Formal Requests
These requests are for records that are not routinely available or accessible by submitting an informal request to a department. If you are told by a department that the information is not accessible a Freedom of Information request (FOI) will need to be submitted.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services Information Requests
To request fire incident or investigation reports, motor vehicle accidents incident reports or residential oil tank information please contact New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services directly:
The following fees apply to requests made to NWFRS:
| Services | Fee |
|---|---|
| Fire Incident Report or Fire Investigation Report | $211 each |
| Motor Vehicle Accidents Incident Report | $105 each |
| Fire and MVA Report photocopies | Cost recovery plus 10% (approx. $0.28/page) |
| Residential Oil Tank information | Free |
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services
1 East 6th Avenue
New Westminster, BC V3L 4G6
Fax: 604-520-7602
Phone: 604-519-1004
Email: fire@newwestcity.ca
Formal requests under the Act must be made in writing submitted using either:
- An FOI request form which is available as a PDF on the City's Website (this form works best on Windows systems, excluding Chrome) or in hard copy from City Hall. Once filled out it can be submitted in person, mailed, emailed or faxed to Legislative Services.
- A letter, fax or email to Legislative Services that provides details of the requested information. This is an option for those that are not able to access the online form.
- In person at City Hall, where front-line staff can assist an applicant in preparing a written request, including helping an applicant to define requests as specifically as possible.
Contact Information:
FOI & Privacy
Legislative Services
511 Royal Avenue
New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9
Fax: 604-527-4594
Email: foi@newwestcity.ca
To assist with the processing of the request, please make it as specific and concise as possible. The better we understand your request, the more we will be able to control costs and respond in a timely manner. When making a request please provide your name, address, e-mail and/or telephone number so we will be able to better assist you with your request.
Under Section 7 of the Act, an FOI request must be processed within 30 business days, except in special circumstances where limited extensions may be made. We will make every effort to respond your request as quickly as possible.
- If you are a member of the public you will not be charged for your own personal information or for the first three hours spent locating and retrieving records.
- If it will take longer than three hours to retrieve the records and prepare them, you will be charged a fee. Fees may be charged according to Section 75 of the Act if responding to your request will require large amounts of staff time and/or copying. If we are going to charge you any fees, we will send you a fee estimate.
- We require payment in full before we proceed with the request. You may choose to revise your request to reduce the cost. You will also be given an option to receive the records electronically which will decrease the fees for preparing and photocopying the records.
| Services | Fee |
|---|---|
| Public Applicant - Locating, retrieving, production, preparing a record for disclosure | $7.50 per 1/4 hour after the first 3 hours |
| Commercial Applicant - Locating, retrieving, production, preparing a record for disclosure | The actual cost of providing that service after the first 3 hours. |
| Black and white photocopy | $0.25 per page |
| Scanned electronic copy of a paper record | $0.10 per page |
The City only handles FOI requests for records held by the City of New Westminster. The New Westminster Police Department and New Westminster Public Library are separate public bodies and respond to their own information requests. Please direct your request to the appropriate public body. For your convenience the contacts are provided below:
- New Westminster Police Department Information Requests
New Westminster Police Department
555 Columbia Street
New Westminster, BC, V3L 1B2
Fax: 604-529-2401
Phone: 604-529-2468
Email: foi@nwpolice.ca
- New Westminster Public Library Information Requests
Chief Librarian
Public Library Main Branch
716 6th Avenue
New Westminster, BC, V3M 2B3
Phone: 604-527-4675
Email: ccasenas@nwpl.ca
The City of New Westminster will make every reasonable effort to ensure that your personal information in our custody is accurate and complete. Under Section 29 of FIPPA if you believe there is an error or omission in your personal information held by the City of New Westminster, you have the right to request that information be corrected or amended to include new information. To request, submit a verbal or written request describing the error to the appropriate City department. Legislative Services may be contacted for general information.
Any questions regarding the FIPPA or on FOI request with respect to the release of information or privacy concerns please contact:
Legislative Services
New Westminster City Hall
511 Royal Avenue
New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9
Fax: 604-527-4594
Phone: 604-515-3828
Email: foi@newwestcity.ca
The Personal Information Bank Directory contains descriptions of the Personal Information Banks (PIB) that are created and maintained by the City of New Westminster. PIB is a description of personal information that is organized and retrievable by a person's name or by an identifying number, symbol or other particular assigned only to that person.
The Directory was created to assist the public in identify the location of personal information that is held by the City. It shows the different ways the City collects personal information, how it is used and who it is shared with.
FOI Contact Information:
Legislative Services
New Westminster City Hall
511 Royal Avenue
New Westminster, BC V3L 1H9
Fax: 604-527-4594
Email: foi@newwestcity.ca