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.
The reason you're not 'entitled' to anything in this case is clearly listed.
I'd be more interested in seeing how you worded your request in such a way as to precipitate a 13K bill. What did you ask for and how? details. Maybe you can reword the request to narrow scope of the request.
"I am requesting all records held by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General,
including the Alberta Chief Firearms Office, relating to the federal Assault Style
Firearms Compensation Program (ASFCP), specifically regarding the planning,
consideration, development, implementation, coordination, or decision not to
implement the collection, surrender, or confiscation of affected firearms within
Alberta"
"specifically regarding the planning, consideration, development, implementation, coordination, or decision not to implement".... How many records are there really, considering this is a program that is not being implemented in this province? How would you specifically limit the scope of this request to still paint a realistic picture of the government's culpability in the program not being executed in this province?
If you are interested in analysis then exclude emails and also exclude client sollicitor privilege (they will be redacted) and you might get a more reasonable volume. When you say all records it means all the emails no matter how insignificant (a meeting invite for example) and there may be 12 copies of it because everybody saved it. Narrowing to certain dates is another strategy.
7
u/pr0cyn1c 9h ago
your story smells like bullshit. Here's why:
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.