Freedom of Information Requests
Castlegar is committed to making it easy to access information and records, directly through departments, or formally under a Freedom of Information request.
Corporate Services
BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is a provincial law that is intended to help promote good city government by balancing the principles of the public having the right to access government information and the right to have their personal information protected.
Freedom of Information – To make public bodies more open and accountable by providing the public with a legislated right of access to government records.
Protection of Privacy – To prevent the unauthorized collection, use or disclosure of personal information by public bodies.
Access to City of Castlegar Records
Routinely Available Records
Most of the information sought by the public is available and provided routinely. Information may be available online or by contacting the appropriate City department. A written request is not required for routinely available records including:
- City Council Meetings / Minutes / Videos
- policy and procedures
- guidelines
- Annual Reports
- Bylaws
Formal Freedom of Information Requests for Records
If the information you are seeking is not routinely available, you can submit a formal request for access under the Act. Written requests can be submitted to Corporate Services by email, regular mail, or hand delivered to City Hall. You may also submit a Request for Access to Records form. Email requests may be sent to tbutler@castlegar.ca.
Please make your request clear, specific, and concise to reduce processing times and possible fees. Indicate in your request the date range for the records you are seeking and whether you would like to receive the records by email, regular mail, or pick-up at City Hall.
Freedom of Information Request FAQs
Yes. If you are requesting records from the City, you will not get access to:
- Council confidences
- another individual’s personal information
- information that could harm another individual’s business interest
- records that could harm Bylaw Enforcement, the economic and financial interests of the City, other individuals or the public
Further, although you can expect the City to protect the privacy of your personal information, the City has the authority to release your information to others in certain circumstances, such as for law enforcement or to protect someone else’s health and safety.