Privacy & disclosure

Privacy commitment

The Market Surveillance Administrator respects the privacy of our customers. We pledge to never release your personal information (i.e. name, address, telephone number, email address or credit card information) to anyone who is not employed or contracted by us to provide a service to you. We will only use this information to serve you better.

Information collected via the Internet

When you visit the Market Surveillance Administrator website the web server automatically collects a limited amount of information essential for the operation and security of our website and the other sites that reside on the server. Some of this information (e.g. browser type) does not identify who you are. Other information, such as your Internet domain name or IP address, may identify you depending, in large part, on the naming standards followed by your Internet service provider. You may wish to ask them about their policies and practices in this regard. Messages sent via the Internet can be intercepted. If you are concerned about sending your personal information to us via the Internet, please email the Market Surveillance Administrator or call 403-705-5319.

Cookies

This website uses "cookies". Cookies are small amounts of information that are distributed to Web browsers to assist you when you return to this site or a specific area on the site. The cookies used here retain session information, or more specifically, the options selected to determine your itinerary. If you have concerns about this, you can change the settings on your web browser to not accept this information or display warning messages when this is about to occur. Cookies are not retained by the site but reside on your machine and are marked for removal by your browser after a period of 28 days.

Other personal information we collect and how we use it

Any personal information that we ask you to provide via our website is collected in compliance with section 33(c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We collect only what is necessary for the operation of the website and the provision of requested materials to you. The information is used only for the purpose it was collected or for a consistent purpose. Further, we keep the information only for the length of time necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected.

Accessing records in the custody or control of the MSA

The Market Surveillance Administrator is subject to the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIP” Act).  The FOIP Act establishes certain rights for access to all documents in the custody or control of the MSA, subject to certain exceptions such as the protection of other person’s privacy rights, confidential information, and the integrity of ongoing investigations. The right to access extends to all records including those in existence prior to the implementation of the FOIP Act.

FOIP Coordinator Role and Responsibilities

Informal request for information

Before you make a formal request for information, please visit Documents and Reporting to determine if the record you are looking for has already been published.

If the record has not been published, contact the MSA FOIP Coordinator, at foip@albertamsa.ca or 403-705-5319 to discuss your request. A determination will be made as to whether the information is readily available or if you will be required to submit a formal request under the FOIP Act.

Formal request for information

If a request for informal disclosure is denied, you may make a formal request to the MSA by filling out the Request to Access Information form or by requesting a copy of the Request to Access Information form; AND sending the completed form, along with any applicable fee, by mail.

If you are requesting your own personal information:

• You must provide proof of your identity before any records are released to you
• There is no initial fee for accessing your own information.
• If the cost of photocopying documents exceeds $10.00, you will be notified of additional fees.

If you are requesting personal information of another individual:

• You must provide proof that you can legally act on behalf of that individual.
• You must provide proof of your identification.
• If the cost of photocopying documents exceeds $10.00, you will be notified of additional fees.

If you are requesting information about a third party or information other than personal information, the following fees are applicable:

• Initial non-refundable fee of $25.00 (no GST required). This fee must be paid before the MSA will begin searching for the requested documents.
• Additional fees may be required if the time and costs of locating and supplying the requested documents is estimated to exceed $150.00.  If the MSA determines that additional fees will be charged, the MSA will provide you with an estimate prior to charging those costs.
• All fees are non-refundable.

Request to Access Information form

Download PDF

Provide the completed form, along with any applicable fee, to Larry Kram, FOIP Coordinator:

By mail:

Market Surveillance Administrator
600, 440 - 2nd Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 5E9

Or online, by email:

foip@albertamsa.ca

Method of payment

Requests for General Information will not be accepted via facsimile or email as the initial fee must be included to proceed. MSA will accept all written (email, fax, paper) Requests for Personal Information.

The MSA currently accepts payment only in the form of a certified cheque or money order made payable to the Market Surveillance Administrator.

How long will the MSA take to respond?

The FOIP Act requires that the information you are requesting is provided to you within 30 days after the MSA receives the Request to Access Information form and, if applicable, the initial fee. The MSA will make every reasonable effort to comply with this requirement.

Personal information at the MSA

To the extent that the MSA will collect, use or disclose personal information, the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FOIP” Act) applies.  The MSA’s Personal Information Protection Policy (PDF) outlines the principles and practices the MSA follows in handling Personal Information. In keeping with the FOIP Act, the MSA maintains a Directory of Personal Information Banks (PDF). Any unauthorized collection, use, or discloser of personal information may be reported to the MSA by completing Part 1 of the MSA Privacy Breach Report (PDF).

Request for information at the MSA

Fill out the Request to Access Information form or by requesting a copy of the Request to Access Information form; AND sending the completed form by mail or online, by email.

If you are requesting your own personal information:

• You must provide proof of your identity before any records are released to you
• There is no initial fee for accessing your own information.
• If the cost of photocopying documents exceeds $10.00, you will be notified of additional fees.

If you are requesting personal information of another individual:

• You must provide proof that you can legally act on behalf of that individual.
• You must provide proof of your identification.
• If the cost of photocopying documents exceeds $10.00, you will be notified of additional fees.

If you are requesting for corrections to your personal information:

• You can correct information in many public body records without making a request under the FOIP Act. To determine whether you need to make a request under the FOIP Act contact the MSA FOIP Coordinator.
• If required you may make a formal request for correction to MSA by filling out the Request to Correct Personal Information form or by requesting a copy of the Request to Correct Personal Information form; AND sending the completed form by mail or online, by email.

Request to Access Information form

Download PDF

Request to Correct Personal Information form

Download PDF

Provide the completed form to Larry Kram, FOIP Coordinator:

By mail:
Market Surveillance Administrator
600, 440 – 2nd Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 5E9

Or online, by email:
foip@albertamsa.ca

How long will the MSA take to respond?

The FOIP Act requires that the information you are requesting is provided to you within 30 days after the MSA receives the Request to Access Information form and, if applicable, the initial fee. The MSA will make every reasonable effort to comply with this requirement.