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Freedom of Information & Privacy

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. TDSB collects, uses, and shares personal information in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). This page outlines TDSB’s policies and procedures regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. It also provides information on how to access records of your personal information and how to request correction of those records. 

TDSB Policies and Procedures

Privacy and access to information practices at TDSB are governed by:

Freedom of Information Process

TDSB’s website contains many records that are available to the public without a formal freedom of information request. Key documents such as policies, procedures, media releases, Board agendas, and minutes are easily accessible.

If you cannot find the information you are seeking on TDSB’s website, you can submit a formal freedom of information request.

If you are a former TDSB student and are looking to obtain a copy of your Transcript, please contact the TDSB Central Transcript Office. For more details regarding the process, please visit?https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/After-High-School/Transcripts.

How Do I Submit an FOI Request?

Online:

An FOI request can be submitted by completing the online form. You must include confirmation that you have paid the $5.00 mandatory application fee, which is non-refundable. The payment can be made online through School Cash Online. The online payment will provide you with a receipt after your payment has been processed, which you must submit with your FOI request as proof of payment.

By Mail:

You can also download the FOI application form and mail it to our office together with a non-refundable $5.00 cheque/money order payable to “Toronto District School Board”: 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Office 
Toronto District School Board 
5050 Yonge Street, 5th Floor 
Toronto, Ontario M2N 5N8 

Are There Fees for Access Information under MFIPPA?

In addition to the $5 non-refundable application fee, TDSB may charge fees to process an FOI request. Regulation 823: General sets out specific fees to be charged for processing FOI Requests. These fees can cover the time, materials, and other costs involved in locating, reviewing, and preparing records. 

If the estimated fee is more than $25, the Freedom of Information and Privacy Office will provide you with a fee estimate before releasing the records. 

If the estimated fee is $100 or more, you may be required to pay a deposit of 50% of the estimated amount before we continue processing your request. 

Records will not be released until any required fees have been paid or a fee dispute has been resolved through the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. 

How Long Will it Take to Process an FOI Request?

Once we receive your FOI request and the required application fee (if applicable), TDSB has 45 business days to respond. 

We will try to provide the records as quickly as possible. However, additional time may be needed if: 

  • Your request covers a large amount of information.
  • Many records need to be reviewed.
  • An extensive search is required.
  • We need to consult with a third party.
  • You have made a number of FOI requests at the same time.

If more time is needed, we will let you know and explain why. 

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If you are not satisfied with TDSB’s response to your freedom of information request, you can appeal to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner within 30 business days of receiving the decision.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the freedom of information process, please contact the Freedom of Information and Privacy Office at [email protected].

Correction of Personal Information

Parents/caregivers or adult students have the right to request corrections under the Education Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act if they believe the personal information in a student’s record is inaccurate.

Under the Education Act, the parent/caregiver or adult student can make a request to the principal to correct the personal information contained in their child’s Ontario Student Record where they believe the information is inaccurate.

Under MFIPPA, the request must be made in writing to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Office. There is no application fee for a request to make a correction to your own personal information. Your request for a collection should be sent to [email protected].

Privacy Complaints and Breaches

A privacy breach occurs when your personal information is stolen, lost, used or disclosed without proper authorization. If you feel that your privacy has been breached by TDSB, please contact the TDSB Freedom of Information and Privacy Office or send a letter with the details: 

By Mail:

Toronto District School Board 
Freedom of Information and Privacy Office 
5050 Yonge Street, 5th Floor 
Toronto, Ontario M2N 5N8 

By Email: [email protected]

You also have a right to notify the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario of a privacy breach.  For more information on the IPC’s privacy breach notification process, please visit the IPC website.