Freedom of Information, Privacy and Access
The following information is provided to promote understanding and awareness of The Northwest Catholic District School Board's (the Board) access and privacy practices in accordance with the Education Act, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), and the Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA).
What is the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)?
MFIPPA is a provincial law that requires the protection of personal information and provides individuals with a right of access to government records subject to specific and limited exemptions.
Included in the Act are specific provisions for how personal information may be collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed of.
How does the Board collect and use personal information?
Personal information is collected directly from parents, guardians, or students under the authority of the Education Act and is used to plan and deliver educational programs and services which best meet student needs. Personal information is collected indirectly only with the consent of parents, guardians or students.
Under the Education Act, the Principal is required to compile a pupil record known as the Ontario Student Record (OSR). This record tracks a student's academic progress through the Ontario Education system and follows students when they change schools.
Access and use of this record is regulated by the Ontario Student Record (OSR) Guideline 2000, which is available on the Ministry of Education's website.
For more information, please read 
F-07-04_Notice_Consent_Disclosure.pdf.
How do I report a Privacy Breach?
If you think that your personal information has been improperly collected, used, or disclosed, you have the right to file a complaint with The Northwest Catholic District School Board.
Complete the Privacy Complaint Form and submit it to the Privacy Information & Records Management Officer at The Northwest Catholic District School Board, 555 Flinders Ave., Fort Frances, ON P9A 3L2 or by email at sbelluz@tncdsb.on.ca.
If the Privacy Information & Records Management Officer is unable to resolve it directly, the complaint may be filed with the Information & Privacy Commissioner.
How does MFIPPA provide a right of access to records?
MFIPPA contains access and privacy protection provisions. This means that individuals have a right to request access to general records and their own personal information held by The Northwest Catholic District School Board in accordance with the MFIPPA and the Education Act. Exemptions to the right of access are limited and specific and are defined in the MFIPPA.
How do I access general information?
General information about our programs and services and contact information is posted on the Board's website. For access to more specific information, you may contact the Privacy Information and Records Management Officer. If the information is not readily available, you will be directed to make a formal Freedom of Information request. A formal access request will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the MFIPPA.
Individuals may also make a more specific or formal access request under the MFIPPA.
How do I make a formal Freedom of Information request?
You may make a request by completing a Freedom of Information request form - FOI Request Form.pdf.
Completed forms must include a $5.00 application fee.
Provide as much detail as possible about the records you are requesting.
Requests can be sent to the attention of:
Privacy Information and Records Management Officer
The Northwest Catholic District School Board
555 Flinders Ave.
Fort Frances, ON P9A 3L2
email: sbelluz@tncdsb.on.ca
What resources are available to help protect personal information?
The Information Privacy Commissioner of Ontario released the following guidelines:
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns related to the access to information or the protection of personal privacy, please contact the Privacy Information and Records Management Officer at (807) 274-2931 ext. 1251 or sbelluz@tncdsb.on.ca.
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Privacy Statement
The Northwest Catholic District School Board respects the privacy of its Web visitors. The only personal identifying information collected from use of The Northwest Catholic District School Board websites is from a website visitor voluntarily submitting comments, suggestions, questions through a feedback form, an email, subscription to an email service or the setup of a user account to access secure areas of the website.
The submission of such information is deemed to be consent for The Northwest Catholic District School Board to collect, use, retain and disclose such information, including personal information, as appropriate and consistent with its duties pursuant to the Education Act and Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The Northwest Catholic District School Board will not sell, rent, or release personal information to third parties or will not post any threatening or libellous emails or material that might be considered contrary to law. The Northwest Catholic District School Board will cooperate with any law enforcement authorities requesting the identity of anyone emailing or posting such content.
