Privacy Act - Annual Report to Parliament 2014-2015
Table of Contents
Introduction
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) was established in 1987 under the provisions of the Western Economic Diversification Act (1988), and mandated to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada and to advance the interests of the West in national economic policy, program and project development and implementation. This broad mandate allows the department to implement tailored programs and initiatives to assist western Canadians to create strong, competitive and innovative businesses and communities.
The Minister of Health, supported by the Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification), is responsible for this organization.
The Privacy Act extends the present laws of Canada that protect the privacy of individuals and provide individuals with a right of access to personal information about themselves. It also protects the privacy of individuals by denying third parties access to personal information relating to them and enabling them to exercise strict control over the collection, disclosure and use of such information. Necessary exceptions should be limited and specific.
WD is committed to both the spirit and intent of the Privacy Act, to ensure the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information held by the department.
This report describes how WD administered the Act during fiscal year 2014-2015, and fulfills the requirements under Section 72 that every government institution must prepare an annual report on the administration of this Act each fiscal year and ensure it is tabled in Parliament.
WD will publish its Annual Report to Parliament on its public website (www.wd-deo.gc.ca) once it has been tabled in the House of Commons and the Senate.
Administration of the Act
In accordance with section 73 of the Privacy Act, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, delegated her full powers, authorities and responsibilities to the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Management (Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator) and Manager, Corporate Administration (Deputy Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator). The delegation order issued on September 30, 2013, is attached in Annex A.
The ATIP Unit is located in Edmonton, Alberta. The unit oversees the administration of the Act, and is part of the Finance and Corporate Management Directorate. The ATIP Coordinator, Deputy ATIP Coordinator, and one full-time ATIP Officer are accountable for the development, coordination and implementation of effective policies, guidelines, systems and procedures to ensure the Minister’s responsibilities under the Act are met, and to enable the monitoring and timely processing, and proper disclosure of information to our clients.
The primary responsibilities of WD’s ATIP Unit include:
- processing requests in accordance with the Privacy Act;
- responding to consultations submitted by other federal institutions on WD records being considered for release;
- developing and maintaining privacy policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure the Act is respected by staff;
- promoting awareness of the Act within the department to ensure staff is aware of the obligations imposed by the legislation;
- preparing annual reports to Parliament and other statutory requirements, such as annual statistical reports and the department’s Info Source chapter, as well as any material that may be required by central agencies;
- representing WD in dealings with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and other federal organisations regarding the application of the Act as it relates to WD;
- monitoring compliance with the Act, its regulations as well as relevant procedures and policies; and
- providing ongoing advice and guidance to senior management and staff on information management and privacy legislation.
Wherever possible, the ATIP Unit will coordinate records retrieval with the subject experts only depending on the nature of the request. In the event the subject experts are unknown, Regional ATIP Liaison Officers (RALOs) will contact and identify the appropriate subject experts, coordinate retrieval of records responding to personal information requests, and liaise between the ATIP Unit and regional staff concerning enquiries. RALOs are located in each of WD’s regional offices and corporate business units.
Requests for personal information, if received, are monitoring closely by the ATIP Unit. No additional reporting or monitoring is conducted by other departmental officials due to the confidential nature of these requests.
Departmental Policies and Procedures
There were no changes made to WD’s Privacy Protection policy suite, including the Privacy Protection Procedures Manual, during the 2014-2015 fiscal year as a result of changes in TBS policies or directives, or changes as result of issues raised by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
Training and Awareness
Staff training and awareness activities include:
- The department did not conduct any privacy related training activities during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. However, the ATIP Officer provides advice on privacy issues as appropriate to Regional ATIP Liaison Officers and staff to increase awareness of the Act.
- The department maintains an Access to Information and Privacy presence on its intranet site that includes policies, procedures, training and awareness presentations, relevant links to useful sites related to access and privacy, and contact information, as well as “The ATIP Eye” tips.
Info Source
WD made minimal changes to its 2014 Info Source chapter which is published on the department’s public website.
The department did not submit any new Personal Information Banks (PIB) to TBS in 2014-2015 for approval.
Statistical Reporting Overview
The department did not submit any new Personal Information Banks (PIB) to TBS in 2014-2015 for approval.
The following information provides additional context to the statistical details found in WD's 2014-2015 statistical report (Annex B – "Statistical Report on the Privacy Act").
- WD did not receive any requests for access to personal information under to the Privacy Act in 2014-2015. The department has not historically received many requests for personal information. As a result, no exemptions or exclusions were applied.
- Personal information collected by WD in the course of its programs and activities is being disclosed only for the purpose for which it was collected, in accordance with paragraph 8(2)(a) of the Privacy Act.
WD did not disclose personal information for any other purposes as outlined in paragraph 8(2)(m) during the 2014–2015 reporting period.
- WD received no complaints pursuant to the Privacy Act in 2014–2015, and there were no appeals or applications submitted to the Federal Court.
- WD did not complete any Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) in 2014–2015.
The PIA for the Western Diversification Program (WDP) / Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative completed in 2013-2014 was reviewed by the Treasury Board Secretariat and, as a result, WD is currently revisiting its existing Personal Information Bank pertaining to grants and contributions.
- There were no material privacy breaches reported in fiscal year 2014-2015.
Operational Costs Associated with Administering the Act
WD's cost for administrating the Privacy Act in the ATIP Unit including the ATIP Unit salary costs, including a portion of the ATIP Coordinator's and Deputy ATIP Coordinator's salaries, and 5 percent of the ATIP Officer's salary (a total of .11 FTE/year). There were no costs pertaining to goods and services, including professional services contracts.
The additional costs noted below are additional departmental costs for translation of privacy-related products, which are not included in the TBS annual statistical report (see Annex B).
ATIP Unit Salaries | $10,095 |
---|---|
Goods and Services | $0 |
Total ATIP Unit Costs | $10,095 |
Additional costs | $284 |
TOTAL DEPARTMENTAL COSTS | $10,379 |
Annex A - Access to Information Act and Privacy Act Delegation Order
Text version: Access to Information Act and Privacy Act Delegation Order
Delegation of Authority Schedule
Provision / Disposition | Description | Title of Positions / Titre des postes |
---|---|---|
8(2)j) | Disclosure for research or statistical purposes Communication pour des travaux de recherche ou de statistique |
|
8(2)m) | Disclosure in the public interest or in the interest of the individual Communication dans l'intérêt public ou de l'individu |
|
8(4) | Copies of requests under paragraph 8(2)(e) Copies des demandes en vertu de l'alinéa 8(2)e) |
|
8(5) | Notice of disclosure under 8(2)(m) Avis de communication en vertu de l'alinéa 8(2)m) |
|
9(1) | Record of disclosures Relevé des cas d'usage |
|
9(4) | Consistent uses Usages compatibles |
|
10 | Personal information banks Fichiers de renseignements personnels |
|
14(a) | Notice where access requested Notification de l'auteur de la demande |
|
14(b) | Giving access to the record Communication du document |
|
15 | Extension of time limits Prorogation du délai |
|
17(2)b) | Language of access Version de la communication |
|
17(3)b) | Access in an alternative format Communication sur format alternatif |
|
Provision / Disposition | Description | Title of Positions / Titre des postes |
---|---|---|
18(2) | Exemption banks Fichiers inconsultables |
|
19 | Information obtained in confidence Renseignements obtenus à titre confidentiel |
|
20 | Federal-provincial affairs Affaires fédérales-provinciales |
|
21 | International affairs and defence Affaires internationales et défense |
|
22 | Law enforcement and investigations Application de la loi et enquêtes |
|
22.3 | Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act Loi sur la protection des fonctionnaires divulgateurs d'actes répréhensibles |
|
23 | Security clearances Enquêtes de sécurité |
|
24 | Individuals sentenced for an offence Individus condamnés pour une infraction |
|
25 | Safety of individuals Sécurité des individus |
|
26 | Information about another individual Renseignements concernant un autre individu |
|
27 | Solicitor-client privilege Secret professionnel des avocats |
|
28 | Medical records Dossiers médicaux |
|
Provision / Disposition | Description | Title of Positions / Titre des postes |
---|---|---|
18(2) | Exemption banks Fichiers inconsultables |
|
19 | Information obtained in confidence Renseignements obtenus à titre confidentiel |
|
20 | Federal-provincial affairs Affaires fédérales-provinciales |
|
21 | International affairs and defence Affaires internationales et défense |
|
22 | Law enforcement and investigations Application de la loi et enquêtes |
|
22.3 | Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act Loi sur la protection des fonctionnaires divulgateurs d'actes répréhensibles |
|
23 | Security clearances Enquêtes de sécurité |
|
24 | Individuals sentenced for an offence Individus condamnés pour une infraction |
|
25 | Safety of individuals Sécurité des individus |
|
26 | Information about another individual Renseignements concernant un autre individu |
|
27 | Solicitor-client privilege Secret professionnel des avocats |
|
28 | Medical records Dossiers médicaux |
|
Provision / Disposition | Description | Title of Positions / Titre des postes |
---|---|---|
33(2) | Right to make representation Droit de présenter des observations |
|
35(1) | Notice of actions to implement recommendations of Privacy Commissioner Avis des mesures pour la mise en œuvre des recommandations du commissaire |
|
35(4) | Access to be given to complainant Communication accordée au plaignant |
|
36(3)b) | Notice of actions to implement recommendations of Commissioner concerning exempt banks Avis des mesures pour la mise en œuvre des recommandations du commissaire au sujet des fichiers inconsultables |
|
51(2)b), 51(3) | Special rules for hearings Règles spéciales pour les auditions |
|
72 | Annual report to Parliament Rapport annuel au Parlement |
|
Provision / Disposition | Description | Title of Positions / Titre des postes |
---|---|---|
7 | Retention of personal information requested under paragraph 8(2)(e) Conservation des renseignements personnels demandés en vertu de l'alinéa 8(2)e) |
|
9 | Examination of information Consultation sur place |
|
11(2)4) | Notification concerning corrections Avis concernant les corrections |
|
13(1) | Disclosure of personal information relating to physical and mental health Communication des renseignements personnels concernant l'état physique ou mental |
|
14 | Examination in presence of medical practitioner or psychologist Consultation en présence d'un médecin ou d'un psychologue |
|
Annex B – Statistical Report on the Privacy Act
Name of institution: Western Economic Diversification Canada
Reporting Period: 2014-04-01 to 2015-03-31
Part 1 – Requests under the Privacy Act
Number of Requests | |
---|---|
Received during reporting period | 0 |
Outstanding from previous period | 0 |
Total | 0 |
Closed during reporting period | 0 |
Carried over to next reporting period | 0 |
Part 2 – Request closed during the reporting period
2.1 Disposition and completion time
Disposition of requests |
Compleation Time | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 days |
16 to 30 days |
31 to 60 days |
61 to 120 days |
121 to 180 days |
181 to 365 days |
More than 365 days |
Total | |
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No records exist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Neither confirmed nor denied |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.2 Exemptions
Section | Number of Requests |
---|---|
18(2) | 0 |
19(1) | 0 |
19(1)(a) | 0 |
19(1)(b) | 0 |
19(1)(c) | 0 |
19(1)(d) | 0 |
19(1)(e) | 0 |
19(1)(f) | 0 |
20 | 0 |
21 | 0 |
22(1)(a)(i) | 0 |
22(1)(a)(ii) | 0 |
22(1)(a)(iii) | 0 |
22(1)(b) | 0 |
22(1)(c) | 0 |
22(2) | 0 |
22.1 | 0 |
22.2 | 0 |
22.3 | 0 |
23(a) | 0 |
23(b) | 0 |
24(a) | 0 |
24(b) | 0 |
25 | 0 |
26 | 0 |
27 | 0 |
28 | 0 |
2.3 Exclusions
Section | Number of Requests |
---|---|
69(1)(a) | 0 |
69(1)(b) | 0 |
69.1 | 0 |
70(1)(a) | 0 |
70(1)(b) | 0 |
70(1)(c) | 0 |
70(1)(d) | 0 |
70(1)(e) | 0 |
70(1)(f) | 0 |
70.1 | 0 |
2.4 Format of information released
Disposition | Paper | Electronic | Other formats |
---|---|---|---|
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.5 Complexity
2.5.1 Relevant pages processed and disclosed
Disposition of requests | Number of pages processed |
Number of pages disclosed |
Number of requests |
---|---|---|---|
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Neither confirmed no denied | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.5.2 Relevant pages processed and disclosed by size of requests
Disposition | Less than 100 pages processed |
101-500 pages processed |
501-1000 pages processed |
1001-5000 pages processed |
More than 5000 pages processed |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
|
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request Abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Neither confirmed no denied | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.5.3 Other complexities
Disposition | Consultation Required |
Legal Advice Sought | Interwoven Information | Other | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request Abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Neither confirmed no denied | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.6 Deemed refusals
2.6.1 Reasons for not meeting the statutory deadline
Number of requests closed past the statutory deadline |
Principal Reason | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Workload | External consultation |
Internal consultation |
Other | |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.6.2 Number of days past deadline
Number of days past deadline |
Number of requests past deadline where no extension was taken |
Number of requests past deadline where an extension was taken |
Total |
---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
31 to 60 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
61 to 120 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
121 to 180 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
181 to 365 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
More than 365 days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2.7 Requests for translation
Translation Requests | Accepted | Refused | Total |
---|---|---|---|
English to French | 0 | 0 | 0 |
French to English | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Part 3 – Disclosures under Subsections 8(2) and 8(5)
Paragraph 8(2)(e) | Paragraph 8(2)(m) | Paragraph 8(5) | Total |
---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Part 4 – Requests for Correction of Personal Information and Notations
Disposition for Correction Requests Recieved | Number |
---|---|
Notations attached | 0 |
Requests for correction accepted | 0 |
Total | 0 |
Part 5 – Extensions
5.1 Reasons for extensions and disposition of requests
Disposition of requests where an extension was taken |
15(a)(i) Interference with operations |
15(a)(ii) Consultation |
15(b) Translation or conversion |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Section 70 | Other | |||
All disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No records exist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Request abandoned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
5.2 Length of extensions
Length of extensions | 15(a)(i) Interference with operations |
15(a)(ii) Consultation |
15(b) Translation purposes |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Section 70 | Other | |||
1 to 15 days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Part 6 – Consultations received from other institutions and organizations
6.1 Consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions and other organizations
Consultations | Other Government of Canada Institutions |
Number of pages to Review |
Other Organizations |
Number of pages to Review |
---|---|---|---|---|
Received during reporting period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Outstanding from the previous reporting period |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Closed during reporting period | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pending at the end of the reporting period |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
6.2 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other Government of Canada institutions
Recommendation | Number of Days Required to Complete Consultation Requests | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 days |
16 to 30 days |
31 to 60 days |
61 to 120 days |
121 to 180 days |
181 to 365 days |
More than 365 days |
Total | |
All Disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Consult other institution | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
6.3 Recommendations and completion time for consultations received from other organizations
Recommendation | Number of days required to complete consultation requests | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 to 15 days |
16 to 30 days |
31 to 60 days |
61 to 120 days |
121 to 180 days |
181 to 365 days |
More than 365 days |
Total | |
All Disclosed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disclosed in part | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All exempted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
All excluded | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Consult other institution | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Part 7 – Completion Time of Consultation on Cabinet Confidences
7.1 Requests with Legal Services
Number of Days | Fewer than 100 Pages Processed |
101-500 Pages Processed |
501-1000 Pages Processed |
1001-5000 Pages Processed |
More than 5000 Pages Processed |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
|
1 to 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
31 to 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
61 to 120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
121 to 180 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
181 to 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
More than 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
7.2 Requests with Privy Council Office
Number of Days | Fewer than 100 Pages Processed |
101-500 Pages Processed |
501-1000 Pages Processed |
1001-5000 Pages Processed |
More than 5000 Pages Processed |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
Number of Requests | Pages Disclosed |
|
1 to 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 to 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
31 to 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
61 to 120 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
121 to 180 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
181 to 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
More than 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Part 8 – Complaints and Investigations Notices Received
Section 31 | Section 33 | Section 35 | Court Action | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Part 9 – Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs)
Part 10 – Resources Related to the Privacy Act
10.1 Costs
Expenditures | Amount | |
---|---|---|
Salaries | $10,095 | |
Overtime | $0 | |
Goods and Services | $0 | |
* Professional services contracts | $0 | |
* Other | $0 | |
Total | $10,095 |
10.2 Human Resources
Resources | Person Years Deticated to the Privacy Activities |
---|---|
Full-time employees | 0.11 |
Part-time and casual employees | 0.00 |
Regional staff | 0.00 |
Consultants and agency personnel | 0.00 |
Students | 0.00 |
Total | 0.11 |
Note: Enter values to two decimal places.
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