When an informal request for information is denied, you can submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. You may also request access to view or change your personal information.
Before making a request, please consult the MGH Directory of Records and Index of Personal Information Banks. This will help you clearly identify the records you are looking for and may assist you in defining parameters for your request.
Requests must be submitted in writing. You are encouraged to use the MGH Freedom of Information Request Form.
A freedom of information (FOI) request must include:
- A detailed description of the records that you seek;
- Reference to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; and
- A mandatory $5 non-refundable application fee.
Requests will not be accepted by e-mail, as every request must be accompanied by the $5 fee.
Please send your request to:
Information and Privacy Officer
Michael Garron Hospital
825 Coxwell Ave.
Toronto, ON M4C 3E7
Request Process
- The Freedom of Information Office may contact you to clarify your request if you have not provided sufficient detail to enable our Office to identify the record(s) requested.
- The hospital must respond to your request within 30 days, unless a time extension is required.
- Before you view or receive requested record(s), you will have to pay applicable fees.
Fees
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act sets out the following fee schedule:
| Action | Fees |
|---|---|
| Making an access request | $5 fee must accompany a FIPPA request |
| Photocopies and printouts | $0.20 per page |
| DVD, CD or floppy disk | $10/disk |
| Manually searching for a record |
$30/hour ($7.50 for each 15 minutes) spent by any person |
|
Preparing a record for disclosure, including severing part of the record |
$30/hour ($7.50 for each 15 minutes) spent by any person |
|
Developing a computer program or other method to produce a record from a machine-readable record |
$60 per hour ($15 for each 15 minutes) spent by any person |
|
Costs, including computer costs, incurred to locate, retrieve, process, and copy record(s) as specified in an invoice received by the hospital |
Actual costs |
A fee estimate will be provided to you if costs will exceed $25. MGH may request that you provide a 50% deposit on a fee estimate over $100 before the hospital continues to process the request.
Appeal Process
You have the right to appeal any hospital decision regarding access to the Information and Privacy Commissioner within 30 days. Your appeal should be made in writing and sent to:
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
2 Bloor St. E., Suite 1400
Toronto ON M4W 1A8
Your appeal letter should include the following:
- Your name, address and telephone number.
- Your Request Number assigned to your request by MGH.
- A copy of the original request for information that was sent to MGH.
- The reasons for your appeal.
The appeal must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Fees vary according to the nature of the request being appealed as follows:
- $25, if the person appealing has made a request for access to a general record under subsection 24 (1) of the Act.
- $10, if the person appealing has made a request for access to personal information under subsection 48 (1) of the Act.