1. Search and Preparation Fees

• $15 per half hour after 2 free hours
• chargeable: locating the requested records, time required to make working copies of the records, doing any required severing
• not chargeable: reviewing the records to determine whether any exceptions apply, deciding what information has to be severed, transferring an application to another public body, preparing a fee estimate or an explanation of a record

2. Computer Programming and Data Processing Fees

• $10 for each 15 minutes of internal programming or data processing, or the actual cost incurred when the work is done by an external agency

3. Copying Records (If Applicant Requests a Copy)

• photocopies and computer printouts: 20 cents per page
• prints from microfilm: 50 cents per page
• any other copying method: actual cost

Note: applicants requesting copies of their own personal information are not required to pay for the copies if the total copying charge is less than $10.

4. Delivery Fees

• regular mail: no charge

• courier delivery: actual cost

Fee Estimates

If you will be required to pay fees, the head of the public body must send you a fee estimate before providing the service. You have up to 30 days from the date the estimate is given to advise the public body if the estimate is accepted or to modify the request in order to reduce the fee. If you want the public body to proceed with the original request, payment for the total amount should be submitted, along with a signed copy of the Estimate of Costs form.

If you receive a fee estimate that you think is unreasonable, you may complain to the Ombudsman.

If you do not reply to a fee estimate within 30 days, the public body may consider the application to have been abandoned.

Fee Waivers

FIPPA includes a discretionary fee waiver provision. If you would like your fees waived, you must make this request to the public body that has the records.

Fees may be waived if the public body is satisfied that:

• paying the fees would impose an unreasonable financial hardship on the applicant;
• the applicant is requesting access to his or her own personal information and the public body believes that it is reasonable and fair to waive the fees in the circumstances;
• if the records relates to a matter of public interest concerning public health, safety or the environment.

The public body must inform you in writing of the decision regarding the fee waiver. You may complain to the Ombudsman about a refusal to waive all or part of the fees.