Access and Privacy

Information access and protection of privacy

This page describes the access and privacy practices at Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

School boards operate under the authority of the Education Act and are governed by legislation that protects the privacy of individuals, specifically the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and in some instances the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). These Acts give individuals basic access rights and impose various rules on the collection, use and disclosure of personal information within the school board's custody and control. Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board complies with these laws and is committed to protecting individual privacy while striving to provide an academic program that best meets student's needs.

Education Act

The Education Act is the provincial law that governs education in Ontario. It enables the school board to operate its business and to deliver programs and services to students. The Education Act authorizes school boards to collect personal information for the purpose of planning and delivering educational programs and services, and for reporting to the Ministry of Education as required. Under the Education Act, the principal of the school is required to compile a student record known as the Ontario Student Record (OSR). This record tracks a student's academic progress through the Ontario Education system and follows the student when they change schools. Access and use of this record is regulated by the Ontario Student Record (OSR) Guideline 2000.

Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is the provincial law that requires the protection of personal information and provides individuals with a right of access to public records subject to specific and limited exemptions. The Act also provides specific provisions for how personal information may be collected, used, retained, disclosed and disposed of.

Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

The Personal Health Information Protection Act is the provincial law that establishes rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health specific information about individuals. In a school board PHIPA applies to speech and language and psychological assessments.

Additional information and resources can also be obtained from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC). The IPC Guide to Ontario Legislation Covering the Release of Students' Personal Information (pdf) provides students, parents and school board staff with a basic understanding of how the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act interacts with the Education Act and other Ontario legislation to protect privacy and provide access to the personal information of students.

Contact information

Toll-free: 1-800-267-4350

Phone: 613-966-1170, extension 62201

Fax: 613-962-1048

Email: Director's Office