Transparency

Proactive disclosure

The Government of Canada is working hard to enhance the role of Parliament and the proactive disclosure of information so that Canadians and Parliament are better able to hold the Government and public sector officials to account.

To this end, the Government announced the mandatory publication on departmental websites of travel and hospitality expenses for selected government officials and contracts entered into by the Government of Canada for amounts over $10,000 (with only limited exceptions such as national security) and the reclassification of positions.

Access to Information and Privacy Office

The Access to Information and Privacy Office is responsible for the administration of the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act on behalf of Passport Canada. We promote the Canadian interest and fulfill the obligations of our agency in faithfully implementing Canada's laws on access to information and privacy.

We respond to requests for information under the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, working with applicants, in both official languages, to ensure that they understand how best to obtain records that are held by Passport Canada.

We are accountable on behalf of the agency for personal information under its control. We ensure the right of every individual, whether a Canadian citizen or a person present in Canada, to know what personal information is held within the agency. Access to information is subject to limited and specific exemptions.

The Access to Information Act gives Canadian citizens and individuals and corporations present in Canada the right to access information in federal government records.

The Privacy Act provides Canadian citizens and individuals present in Canada the right of access to their personal information that is held by the federal government. It also governs the collection, use, disclosure, retention and disposal of personal information.