In the course of conducting the programs and activities of the department, personal information may be accumulated which is not contained in the specific information banks described in this entry. This information exists in a fragmented form throughout the subject files of the department. This information is stored as part of the general subject files, where records are not normally retrieved by the name of the individual or other personal identifier. This form of information is retrievable only if specifics are provided concerning the subject matter, the related departmental activity, as well as the date at which the information was received by the department and the name of the person to whom it was addressed. The personal information contained in these files is retained for the same period of time as the related subject information and disposed of according to the appropriate records schedules.

Public Opinion Research
This is a class of records generated by departmental officials who conducted public opinion research on a vast spectrum of topics related to the mandate and mission of Western Economic Diversification Canada. Retrievable records consist of data gathering instruments, such as, but not exclusively, questionnaires which may contain personal information that reveals the identification of the research subject. Data contained in this class of records are not used for administrative purposes. Individuals seeking access to these records must provide the title of the research project in which they participated, the location and the date of the search, and any other data that may help to identify and locate the personal information they are seeking.