Access to information requests

[u/Mythic01]

Figured I'd submit an access to information request to Alberta Justice to see the real story on why/why not the ASFCP hasn't made any effort to setup a mobile collection unit in province, the obvious aside.

Only to be met with a fee request of $15,000.

Looks like a great way to prevent the citizens from attaining access to the information they're entitled to.

[u/pr0cyn1c]

your story smells like bullshit. Here's why:

• $25 initial fee for a general access request (non-personal information). [alberta.ca], [foip.alber...ervices.ca]
• No initial fee when requesting your own personal information. [alberta.ca], [foip.alber...ervices.ca]
• Additional processing fees may be charged only if the estimated cost of processing exceeds $150, based on activities such as searching for records, preparing records for disclosure, copying, and shipping. [alberta.ca], [foip.alber...ervices.ca]

You may have seen reports of a $15,000 fee estimate on a particular request. Public bodies can issue large fee estimates for exceptionally broad or complex requests because the law allows recovery of certain processing costs. However, that is not a province-wide filing fee or mandatory charge for all requests. Applicants can also ask for a review of fees by Alberta's Information and Privacy Commissioner.

[u/Mythic01 → u/pr0cyn1c]

Ok, 13k. I rounded up a lil.

My request is for any records relating to enacting collection for the ASFCP program in Alberta.

[u/kookiemaster → u/Mythic01]

As someone who does have to respond to atips, if you can narrow down your request to something fairly specific the price will go down dramatically. Emails tend to be the biggest spource of records volume, with many duplicates because several people have the saved email. Also ask to exclude cab confidence (it will all be redacted anyway). If you still want emails be specific (job title) in terms of author or recipient.