The Information and Privacy Office is excited to announce that the Government of Alberta introduced two new pieces of legislation, the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), which replaced the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in June 2025. These new acts are designed to enhance access to information for Albertans and strengthen the protection of privacy within MacEwan University.

Impact on MacEwan University:

ATIA and POPA will bring several changes to our operations, including:

  • Access to information: Extended timelines to respond to an access request and new exceptions to disclosure categories.
  • Changes to collection notices: It is now required to disclose intentions to input information into an automated system for generating content, making decisions, recommendations or predictions. All other references to the FOIP Act will be updated as needed.
  • New mandatory requirements: MacEwan University must establish and disclose its privacy management program as prescribed under the POPA Regulation. In the case of a significant privacy breach, affected individuals, the information and privacy commissioner, and the minister of innovation and technology must be notified. Finally, a privacy impact assessment is required when handling personal information that significantly impacts the university and the individuals involved.
  • Enhanced privacy protection: Prescribe requirements for creating and using non-personal information, rules around data matching and derived personal info. More transparency around the use of AI and automated decisions.
  • New and increased offences and penalties: Increased financial penalties for both institutions and individuals, along with new offences related to data matching and non-personal information.

For more information about these changes, please visit the Government of Alberta’s website regarding these changes:

If you are interested in the Information and Privacy Office attending one of your team meetings to discuss the changes, please contact our office to arrange a date and time that will work for you.  Contact: privacy@macewan.ca.

From the Information and Privacy Office