Make a request under the access to information act

Any individual who is present in Canada can make a request under the Access to Information Act. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can also make a request from outside Canada. An individual who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident cannot make a request from outside Canada unless it is made on their behalf by a representative who is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a person present in Canada.

Submitting a request online

Online request for information

Mailing request

Requests submitted under the Access to Information Act made in writing must specify that the request is being made under the Access to Information Act. Alternatively, requests can be made by using an Access to Information Request Form, which can be found in the Access to Information and Privacy section of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat website.

All written requests made under the Access to Information Act should be as specific as possible. This will enable CMHC to conduct an effective search and to reduce the need to seek clarification from the requester.

Please consult CMHC’s Info Source chapter (PDF), a publication containing information about and/or collected by CMHC, to assist you in exercising your rights under the Access to Information Act.

Requests under the Access to Information Act must include the following:

1. A $5 application fee in the form of a money-order or cheque payable to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is required;
2. A clear and concise description of the record or type of information being sought;
3. The preferred method of access (i.e. paper copy or electronic);
4. The name of the applicant and their complete mailing address and telephone number in Canada;
5. Whether the applicant is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or another individual or corporation present in Canada;
6. Be dated and signed by the applicant (if submitting by mail);
7. And, if possible, a telephone number and/or email address where the requester can be contacted during business hours.

The personal information that you provide to CMHC is protected under the Privacy Act and is solely used for processing your request according to the provisions specified in the Access to Information and Privacy Personal Information Bank Number PSU 901.

In processing your access to information request under the Access to Information Act, we will:

1. Process your request while protecting your identity.
2. Offer reasonable assistance throughout the request process.
3. Provide information on the Access to Information Act, including information on the processing of your request and your right to complain to the Information Commissioner of Canada.
4. Inform you as appropriate and without undue delay when your request needs to be clarified.
5. Make every reasonable effort to locate and retrieve the requested information under the control of CMHC.
6. Apply limited and specific exemptions to the requested information.
7. Provide accurate and complete responses.
8. Provide timely access to the requested information.
9. Provide information in the format and official language requested, as appropriate.
10. Provide an appropriate location within CMHC to examine the requested information.

Requests by mail should be sent to:

Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Office
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
700 Montreal Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P7

How much time will it take CMHC to process your request?

CMHC has 30 calendar days to respond to Access to Information and Privacy requests. The Access to Information Act allows CMHC to extend the time limit to respond to a request beyond the 30 calendar days in certain circumstances, such as:

• the request is for a large number of records or requires a search through a large number of records, and the 30 day time limit would unreasonably interfere with CMHC's operations;
• consultations are necessary and cannot reasonably be expected to be completed within the 30 day time limit; and
• notice to a third party is required to advise them that their information is the subject of a request.