Freedom of Information

Seneca is subject to Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).

• To provide individuals with a right of access to certain information held by the institution; and
• To protect the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information held by the institution.

FIPPA also outlines Seneca's obligations concerning the collection, use, disclosure, retention and disposal of all personal information it keeps, as well the regulations surrounding the access of an individual to their own personal records. Seneca regards all personal information as confidential, and protects the privacy of both staff and students.

For more information, please refer to Seneca’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy.

In many cases, the information you are looking for may already be available, for example, on Seneca’s website. Before making a formal request for access to information under the Act, contact the department or faculty you believe has the information you are looking for and ask if they are able to provide you the information.

If the information is readily available then the department or faculty will direct you to the information, or where appropriate, send the information to you.

To make a request under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), you may either:

1. Submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request Form electronically
2. Download the FOI Request Form (PDF), complete the form and mail it to:
   Seneca Privacy Office
   1750 Finch Ave. East
   North York, Ont.
   M2J 2X5

1. The request is received in writing. If you do not use the FOI Request Form, make sure your written request states that the request is being made under FIPPA.
2. The $5 applicable fee for your written request has been received by the Privacy Office. Seneca accepts payments by cheque, money order or electronic funds transfer.
   1. Please make cheque or money order payable to “Seneca”
   2. If you are sending an e-transfer, please follow these steps:
      1. Log in to your financial institution’s online payment application.
      2. Initiate an e-transfer to: accounts.receivable@senecapolytechnic.ca
      3. In the “Description” field input: “Your Name – FOI Request – Privacy Office”.
3. You have provided sufficient detail to enable an experienced employee at Seneca with a reasonable amount of effort, to identify the information/record you are requesting. Note: Do not frame your request in the form of a question.

Typically, every reasonable effort is made to respond to your request within 30 calendar days from the date your request is received. However, there are circumstances under the legislation where Seneca is permitted to extend the time beyond the 30 days. There may be additional fees authorized by Ontario Regulation 460 related to your request.

Seneca will review your request in accordance with FIPPA and a letter will be sent to you once a decision has been made. This letter will outline all of the details of the decision, including any exemptions that may apply, a calculation of any incurred fees, and if applicable, a schedule of disclosure and directions regarding the actual access to the identified records.

Please note that if your request for records results in a large disclosure of documents, you may be asked to pay a deposit for the costs of copying such records prior to your request being completed. All outstanding fees incurred must be paid prior to disclosure.

Seneca’s Vision Clinic at Newnham Campus was permanently closed April 15, 2019.  

All of the retail optical files are being retained by Seneca in accordance with the College of Opticians and the Personal Health and Information Protection Act (PHIPA). To request a copy of your records, please complete the Access Request Form (PDF) and submit the form to:

Seneca Privacy Office
1750 Finch Ave. East
North York, Ont.
M2J 2X5

If you have any questions, please contact the Privacy Office at privacyoffice@senecapolytechnic.ca or 416.764.0400.