How to Participate in the ATIPPA Review Process

The ATIPPA Statutory Review 2025 Committee was established by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to conduct an independent statutory review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015).  The Committee member is Keri-Lynn Power, LLB (Hons), LLM, (Chair).

The Committee encourages the public and public bodies to get involved in the review by providing written submissions, making presentations at public hearings, or both. Respectful comments may also be made through the Committee’s website. There may be follow ups from the Committee on the submissions, as well as the potential for further consultations,  roundtables, surveys, or questionnaires etc. This will provide important information to assist the Committee in its work and, as a result, the Committee may draw upon the contents of the same and quote from them in its final report.

If you have any questions or comments respecting this process, please contact us by:

Phone: 709-729-3045, or toll-free: 1-844-695-2605

Email: ATIPPAReview@gov.nl.ca

Regular mail: 
Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Statutory Review 2025
2nd Floor, Beothuck Building
20 Crosbie Place
St. John’s, NL
A1B 3Y8

Written Submissions

When?

Written submissions are requested as soon as possible, but in any event not later than October 9, 2026, unless otherwise permitted by the Committee.  We encourage early submissions so that it can be published and there is ample to time for interested parties to review and submit additional or supplementary submissions in response to submissions of others.

How?

• Provide your written submission in Adobe PDF format. Any supporting documents to your written submission are to be combined in the one PDF file.
• Date your submission and include your name and organization name, where applicable.
• Your personal contact information (address, telephone number, etc.) should be provided in your e-mail or cover letter.
• Send your written submission to the Committee by email, hand delivery (at our office between 9 am and 3pm Monday to Friday), or regular mail as provided above.
• The Committee may request further elaboration of a written submission or seek follow-up information.

Publication of Written Submissions

• In the absence of a clear indication that a written submission is intended to be confidential the Committee will treat the submission as public.
• Written submissions may be posted on the Committee’s website.
• Personal information of the submitter, such as name, address and personal opinions may also be published, unless the submitter requests, and the Committee agrees, that the information not be disclosed.
• The Committee may withhold from disclosure confidential information and personal information in order to protect the confidentiality and privacy of submitters or others mentioned in the written submission. Publication or withholding of information in a submission is at the discretion of the Committee, which will be exercised on the basis of the principles in the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015).
• We advise that confidential written submissions may still be subject to a request under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015).

Presentations at Public Hearings

In the event a party is only interested in written submissions we will respect that, however the Committee encourages individuals and groups to bring forward their views in presentations at public hearings. Public hearings will give the Committee an opportunity to receive the presentations and ask questions of the person making the presentation.

If you wish to make a presentation at a public hearing without having provided a written submission, please provide to the Committee a summary of the topic(s) you wish to discuss on or before October 9, 2026.

First Set of Hearings

• Public hearings will be held in St. John’s in October and November 2026, dates to be determined. Virtual participation will also be available. 
• For planning purposes, you are asked to advise the Committee no later than October 9, 2026, if you intend to make a presentation at a public hearing. If circumstances so require, the Committee may permit a presentation at a public hearing on shorter notice.
• Individuals and groups who have not indicated in advance their desire to participate may, with the approval of the Committee, be heard at a public hearing.
• A notice of public hearings will be published on the Committee’s website and promoted in social media.

Additional Hearing Dates

• Other hearing dates and locations, as required, may be scheduled for dates to be announced later.

Schedule of Presentations

• A schedule will be posted on the Committee’s website containing the time, location and names of the individuals and groups who are presenting at public hearings.

Disability Related Accommodations or Supports

• Please advise Committee support staff in advance of public hearings of any disability related accommodations or supports that may be required.

Arriving at a Public Hearing

• When you arrive at a public hearing, please check in with the Committee support staff.

Presenting at a Public Hearing

• When the Committee is ready, the Chair will call your name and ask that you introduce yourself. Then you may begin your presentation.
• The Committee may ask you questions.
• If you are unable to answer a question, then you may provide that information to the Committee in writing as soon as possible after the hearing and may be given a deadline to provide the same.
• Keep in mind that the information you provide at a public hearing is public information. We would ask that you respect the privacy of other individuals in your public presentation.

Broadcasting of Public Hearings

• The public hearings will be webcast live through the Committee’s website.
• An archive of the webcast of public hearings will be available on the Committee’s website.
• You can reasonably expect the media to be present at the public hearings.

Transcription, Publication and Privacy

• In the absence of a clear indication that a presentation is intended to be confidential the Committee will treat the presentation as public.
• Written transcripts of public hearings will be posted to the Committee’s website as soon as they are available.
• Personal information of the presenter, such as name, address and personal opinions may also be published, unless the presenter requests, and the Committee agrees, that the information not be disclosed.
• The Committee may withhold from disclosure confidential information and personal information in order to protect the confidentiality and privacy of presenters or others mentioned in the presentation. Publication or withholding of information in a transcribed presentation is at the discretion of the Committee, which will be exercised on the basis of the principles in the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015).
• We would however advise that any confidential transcribed presentations may still be subject to a request under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015).

Attending a Public Hearing

• Anyone may attend a public hearing.
• Cameras and recording devices are not permitted to be used in the hearing room without the permission of the Committee or its support staff. Only the media and those who are recording the proceedings on behalf of the Committee will be permitted to use cameras.
• Members of the media and public are requested to remain silent at all times within the hearing room and are reminded that mobile telephones must be switched off.
• To protect those who have allergies, please avoid the use of scented products.