The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

FIPPA applies to all records in the custody or under the control of the University of Manitoba, including records containing general information, personal and personal health information.  It does not apply to teaching materials, research information of an employee of the University, or a question that is to be used on an exam or test.

The purposes of the Act are:

  • To allow any person the right to access the records of the University, subject to specific exceptions
  • To allow individuals to access records containing specific information about themselves, subject to specific exceptions
  • To allow individuals to request corrections to records containing personal information about themselves
  • To control how the University collects, uses and disseminates personal information, and
  • To provide for a review by the Manitoba Ombudsman's Office of any decisions or actions of the University with regards to this Act.

Obtaining access under the Act:

Any person can ask for general information, personal and personal health information held by the University.  A key provision of the Act is that any person can make an application for access and the FIPPA Office must respond within 30 days from the receipt of the request.  

The FIPPA Application for Access should be used and is available through our website, on the provincial government website and in paper form at the FIPPA Office.  This application should be sent either by mail, by fax, or delivered in person only to the FIPPA Office. This will help our office in ensuring anonymity to all applicants.

The University's response to an Application for Access:

  • The FIPPA Office will contact the Unit Liaison to provide the office in question with the particulars of the request.
  • Only the request for the records will be provided; personal information of the requester will not be disclosed.
  • The Unit Liaison will locate the requested records and will supply the FIPPA Office with an estimate of the time required to collect and photocopy the requested records.
  • If it is determined that a fee should be charged, the applicant will be advised and the request put on hold until a response is received by the FIPPA Office.
  • Under certain circumstances the FIPPA Office may extend the 30 day response time.
  • A copy of the records requested from the Unit Liaison will be forwarded to the FIPPA Office for review under the exceptions of the Act.

Requests for personal health information are handled somewhat differently than requests for general or personal information.  Please refer to our PHIA page for more information.

For general questions and student concerns please refer to FAQs General.  For administrators and academic staff please refer to FAQs for Staff. 

Manitoba Ombudsman:

The Manitoba Ombudsman serves as recourse for persons who have been denied access to records or information, or who believe that their privacy has been violated through inappropriate collection, use or disclosure of their records or information.  The Office of the Ombudsman will investigate a complaint, unless the Ombudsman determines that an investigation is not warranted.  If an investigation is required, the FIPPA Office must respond to the Ombudsman.

If the complaint is about denial of access to information, the Office of the Ombudsman will review the FIPPA Office's decisions respecting severing and/or withholding of information. 

If the complaint is about violations of privacy, the Office of the Ombudsman will direct the FIPPA Office to conduct an inquiry into the matter.