British Columbia’s “Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act” (FOIPPA) grants the public the right to access records held by public sector organizations, including school districts. Operating with a commitment to transparency, New Westminster Schools proactively publishes many routine reports, plans, and public records. Please review our online resources (e.g. administrative procedures, policies, reports and publications, etc.) before submitting a formal FOIPPA request.
If the required documentation is not available through the existing public resources, follow the formal application process outlined below.
Accessible records
Under FOIPPA, applicants may request:
- General district and corporate records.
- Personal information pertaining to the applicant.
Certain statutory exceptions and restrictions apply. Accessing another individual’s personal information requires explicit, written authorization from that person.
Submitting an application
FOI requests must be submitted in writing; telephone requests cannot be processed.
Applications can be submitted via email by filling out a FOIPPA request form.
Application requirements
- Provide a clear and detailed description of the records requested.
- Include written consent if requesting another person’s personal information.
Fees and processing costs
General FOIPPA requests are subject to a mandatory $10 application fee.Requests for personal information are exempt from the fee.
Please note FOIPPA allows for processing fees related to the search, retrieval, production, and preparation of records for general requests. These charges do not apply to personal information requests or the first three hours of staff time on general requests. If additional fees apply, a formal cost estimate will be provided following receipt of the initial $10 application fee.