Application

The Alberta Utilities Commission’s collection of personal information complies with Alberta’s privacy laws. We use and disclose personal information only for the purpose it was collected, or a purpose consistent with the collection, or where the Protection of Privacy Act allows it.   

The AUC can collect personal information from you in a variety of ways: through our website, through AUC hearings or proceedings, through direct correspondence by email, direct message, letter, phone call, etc.   

Most of the personal information we collect comes directly from you when you choose to provide it. We do not collect personal information for general purposes or for commercial marketing. We do not release your personal information to other organizations or individuals unless the law permits or requires it.  

Compliance with privacy laws

The AUC complies with the Access to Information Act, the Protection of Privacy Act, and related legislation.   

Alberta privacy laws include rules for data matching and for data derived from personal information. If the AUC uses data matching or creates data derived from personal information, we will do so only where authorized by law and with appropriate safeguards.  

The AUC maintains a Privacy Management Program that includes this external user privacy policy, processes for handling access requests, and procedures for reporting and managing privacy incidents and complaints. We also provide guidance and training, so employees understand their responsibilities and follow the AUC’s Privacy Management Program.  

The Access to Information Act provides access to information held by public bodies that is not available by other means. This is called an access to information request. The Protection of Privacy Act allows individuals to request correction of their own personal information that a public body holds.   

If you have questions or want more information about these processes, including about how the AUC handled your personal information, please contact the  

AUC Privacy Officer at privacy@auc.ab.ca. 

You may also contact Alberta’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. www.oipc.ab.ca  

Personal information collected through the AUC’s website

When you visit our website, our servers collect a small amount of standard technical information needed to operate and evaluate the site. This information does not identify you personally. It includes the page you came from, the date and time of your visit, your computer’s IP address, your browser type and version, and the name and size of the file you requested.  

The AUC website uses temporary cookies to make your browsing easier, for example, remembering previously entered information or preferences so pages load faster. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Depending on your preferences, you can accept all cookies, be notified when a cookie is set, or block all cookies. Some website features may not work properly if cookies are disabled.   

The AUC uses security tools to protect its computer systems including software that monitors network traffic to help detect unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or to cause harm.  

Except for authorized lawenforcement investigations, we do not attempt to identify individual users or track their browsing habits.  

Personal information collected in AUC hearings or proceedings

The AUC collects, uses and discloses personal information for AUC proceedings to carry out our work as a public body and to maintain an open public record, as allowed under Alberta privacy laws.

Public record

 AUC hearings and proceedings are open to the public and are transparent. Almost all documents filed in a proceeding are placed on the public record and accessible through the AUC’s eFiling System. Limited exceptions include documents the AUC has deemed confidential and documents that contain thirdparty personal information (such as mailing lists used for notices).   

The AUC provides notice that it will collect, use, and disclose your personal information through the eFiling System. You will be required to acknowledge this notice when you register to use the system and every time you upload a document (sometimes called a “filing”) on the eFiling System.   

Personal information on the public record may include: (1) any personal information required by AUC Rule 001: Rules of Practice or the eFiling System to participate in a proceeding; and (2) any personal information that you choose to provide to the AUC (for example, your name, contact information, financial details, or health information).  

Livestreaming

Because AUC hearings are open to the public they may be livestreamed or recorded. Information you file, including personal information, may be discussed in a hearing. A written transcript may also be available to registered eFilingSystem users. After a hearing or other proceeding, the AUC may publish a decision that refers to evidence on the public record or to the participants in the proceeding.  

Third-party use

Once information is on the public record, third parties may access it. The AUC has a limited ability to control a third-party’s use of information, including personal information, taken from the public record and is not responsible for that third-party’s use. Anyone who accesses personal information from the public record of a proceeding should ensure that the personal information is used for a purpose consistent with the information being placed on the public record in the first place. 

Inappropriate use

The AUC may, at its discretion and without prior notice, block you from accessing the eFiling System if you misuse the eFiling System or any personal information, confidential or otherwise, on the record of a proceeding.   

Confidentiality requests

If you do not want your personal information on the public record, you may ask the AUC to treat your filing as confidential under Section 4 of Rule 001: Rules of PracticeRequests should be sent to the AUC’s Privacy Officer at privacy@auc.ab.ca. Requests must include the document that contains personal information and must specify the personal information requested to be kept confidential. An opportunity for parties to challenge confidentiality requests will be available.  

Personal information collected in AUC consultations

The AUC consults regularly with its stakeholders through its website and using its Engage platform. The AUC may also conduct live consultations with stakeholders where their views are recorded either in minutes or by a court reporter. The AUC will seek your authorization to collect, use and disclose your personal information in relation to these consultations.   

If you have questions about how to contact the AUC for information on a consultation, please call us at 310-4AUC (in Alberta) or (1-833-511-4282 outside of Alberta). You can also send questions by email to info@auc.ab.ca.   

General complaints submitted to the AUC

The AUC may collect your personal information when you submit a complaint to the AUC about an electric or gas utility or any other matter over which the AUC has jurisdiction. That personal information may include your name and contact information. When you submit a complaint, we use that personal information to respond to that complaint. If your complaint relates to a third party or a utility service provider, we will not share your personal information with them without your consent unless permitted or required by law.  

If you have questions about how to make a complaint, please call us at 310-4AUC (in Alberta) or (1-833-511-4282 outside of Alberta). You can also send questions by email to info@auc.ab.ca.   

Privacy complaints submitted to the AUC

If you have questions about this policy, the AUC’s Privacy Management Program, or want to make a complaint about how the AUC handled your personal information, please contact the AUC Privacy Officer at privacy@auc.ab.ca. You may also contact Alberta’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.  

Requests for information pertaining to matters the AUC oversees

The AUC may collect your personal information when you submit a request for information relating to matters that the AUC oversees. That personal information may include your name and contact information. When you submit a request for information to us, we use that personal information to respond to your request. If your request for information relates to a third party or a utility service provider, we will not share your personal information with them without your consent unless permitted or required by law.  

Employment search-related information

If you apply for employment with the AUC, we may collect, use and disclose any personal information needed to assess your application, to contact you about opportunities, or perform reference checks. Personal information provided in response to an employment search is accessible only to AUC personnel involved in the hiring process. The AUC does not sell or use that information for unrelated purposes.  

Questions

If you have questions or want more information about this policy, please contact the AUC Privacy Officer at privacy@auc.ab.ca.   

Change control and maintenance

This policy will be reviewed annually for compliance with material developments in privacy legislation and practices. 

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