We have put exceptional measures in place to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect the health and safety of our employees so they can continue to protect Canadian communities. These demands have further impacted our capacity for processing ATIP requests. As a result, there may be significant delays in responding to during this period. We are working hard to provide Canadians with information in a timely manner and continue to make every effort to meet our responsibilities under the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act .
The purpose of the Access to Information Act is to provide a right of access to general records under the control of a federal government institution to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or any individual or corporation present in Canada. All government records may be requested under the Access to Information Act. It does not make provisions for institutions to create new records or to answer specific questions.
If you are looking to access your own personal information ,a Privacy Act request is the more effective route as there is no cost, and there is a dedicated team to process these requests within the RCMP. However, if you choose to request your personal information under the Access to Information Act cost $5) instead of the Privacy Act, you will need to provide the same information as for a Privacy Act request.
Before making an access to information request, you can search the summaries of access to information requests for records that have already been released by the Government of Canada to see if you can find what you are looking for there.
Visiting the government's Open Government Portal for previously completed Access to Information requests.
The easiest way to submit a request is by using the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Online Request service. It's fast and convenient. This service allows you to make online requests for information instead of having to print, scan, mail or email a paper form.
The Government of Canada's online portal lists the information you should have on hand before submitting your request.
The RCMP is a large, multi-jurisdictional organization with offices and detachments across Canada. We use many different record-keeping systems that are not fully integrated. Searches for records are not done by the ATIP Branch in Ottawa; they are done by the division, detachment, program or employee who holds the records in question. As such, we need to understand the geographic location where your request will primarily be held in order to task it appropriately. For this reason, the more precise the request is, the faster we can respond.
You must include enough information about the records you wish to access to allow an experienced employee of the RCMP, with reasonable effort, to find the records being requested. For example:
Some non-personal information that can be requested includes:
Some documents may not be released to protect certain interests. For example:
There is a $5.00 application fee. Please include payment by cash, cheque or money order (payable to the Receiver General of Canada) with your request.
The RCMP's Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Branch continues to face challenges that result in response delays to requests submitted under the Access to Information Act . Despite our legislative responsibilities, certain realities prevent us from responding in under 30 days.
Delays can be due to:
To help streamline your request, try and be as focused and precise as possible. ATIP officials are here to help you get to the core of what you are requesting, in order to assist you to get the information you are requesting as quickly as possible.
The RCMP recognizes the importance of complying with legislated timelines. That is why we are currently overhauling our program and addressing these issues by:
Read the details of our efforts for the next five years in the modernization strategy and action plan.
If you can't make a request online, you can complete the RCMP's Access to Information Request Form and email it to atipb@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or mail it to the address below. If you can't download or print the form, you may also submit a letter clearly indicating that your request is being made under the Access to Information Act and describe the following:
Mail your form or letter to:
RCMP Access to Information and Privacy Branch
73 Leikin Drive, Mail Stop #61
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R2
How long will it take to receive information?
After the materials have been processed, requesters receive the following:
If you are requesting information that belongs to a third-party, a consent letter clearly stating that you are entitled to receive this information is required. This would also include a spouse, or dependent who may also be involved in the requested information. Without this approval, the RCMP is prohibited by law to release the records so including this as part of your initial request is essential to help us process your request.
Anyone requesting information from an ATIP office has the right to file a complaint on any aspect of their request.
Examples can include:
Complaints concerning the processing of your information requests are to be submitted to the Information Commissioner within 60 days of receipt of the response letter. Should you decide to proceed with this right, your notice of complaint is to be addressed to:
Should you have a complaint about how the RCMP collected, used, disclosed, retained and/or disposed of personal information, it should be directed to the Privacy Commissioner. Complaints related to privacy and privacy requests are to be addressed to: