If you are having problems getting across the border, you may want to find out what the U.S. or Canadian governments say about you in their files.
To obtain your personal information from a Canadian agency, you will need to submit a “Personal Information Request Form” with the specific Canadian agency that is causing the problem.
To be eligible to file this request, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or be “present“ in Canada. If you do not meet these requirements, you will need someone else to make the request on your behalf. This can be anybody who meets the qualifications, such as a law firm, a Canadian citizen, or a permanent resident who has an address in Canada.
The Personal Information Request Form is pretty simple and can be filed at no charge. You will submit the form by regular mail or email to the “Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator” at the specific agency you need information from. In theory, it should take about 30 calendar days to get a response, but in reality it frequently takes longer.
Below is a list of agencies that are most relevant for border crossing and immigration problems.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
410 Laurier Avenue West, 10th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L8
Telephone: 613-960-1414
Facsimile: 613-957-6408
[email protected]
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
Access to Information and Privacy Division
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
Telephone: 1-800-667-6703
Facsimile: 613-957-6517
[email protected]
Passport Canada
Access to Information and Privacy Office
Coordinator
Passport Canada
70 Crémazie Street, 2nd floor
Gatineau, Quebec J8Y 3P2
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
P.O. Box 9732 Station T
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4G4
Telephone: 613-231-0107
Other Telephone: 1-877-995-9903
Facsimile: 613-842-1271
[email protected]
Immigration and Refugee Board
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
344 Slater Street, 14th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K1
Telephone: 613-995-3514
Transport Canada
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street, Room 827
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Telephone: 613-993-6162
Correctional Service of Canada
A/Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Building
340 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P9
Telephone: 613-992-8321