A standard personal information bank (PIB) is a collection of personal information about members of the public and current and former employees at the federal level. For example, \u201cRelocation Personal Information Bank\u201d or \u201cLibrary Services Personal Information Bank.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
PIBs are controlled and used by government institutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Canada, government institutions must publish a directory listing the institution\u2019s personal information banks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This includes the title and location of the PIB, categories of individuals whose personal information is included, the kind of personal information contained, the authority that collects the personal information, why the personal information was collected\/compiled, and how the information is being used\/disclosed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These PIB directories exist to let the public know what kind of personal information a government body might have about them. Individuals can request to see their personal information and, if it\u2019s misleading\/inaccurate, ask to correct it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Individuals can also make general information requests, i.e., records that don\u2019t contain personal information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A personal information bank that is used by a federal institution for a program or activity that exists within most federal institutions. – Government of Canada<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Identify the personal information bank<\/a> likely to contain the information you want to access and find the name, address, and phone number of that PIB\u2019s Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, you can call the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator to see if you can access the information without filing a formal request. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t get the information you need through a phone call, you can either fill out the Access to Information Form<\/a>\/Personal Information Request Form<\/a> detailing which records you want to access or write a letter to the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to include a $5 fee for accessing general information. There\u2019s no fee for accessing your personal information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The government institution has to respond to your request in 30 days or ask for an extension (30 days or a \u201creasonable period\u201d). <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your request is successful, you will need to verify that you are the person in the records you seek to access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, if you receive a refusal of access, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner<\/a>. However, note that there are some exemptions to your right to access<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you believe the personal information a government institution has about you is incorrect or misleading, you can ask it to correct it under the Privacy Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAccessing Your Personal Information In a Personal Information Bank\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Correcting Your Personal Information In a Personal Information Bank\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n