Contact(s)
The Clerks Department is responsible for handling requests received under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
Should you wish to submit a Freedom of Information request, simply fill out the FOI request form and deliver it to the clerk. There is a $5.00 fee payable when the request for information is submitted and there are other fees chargeable in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.56 as amended and its Regulations.
The law:
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), you have a right to ask certain public-sector organizations in Ontario for information they hold.
Anyone can make a request for information - there are no restrictions based on age or where you live.
The information you request could include:
Unavailable records
Not all information is available through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Some records cannot be released under Freedom of Information laws.
Exclusions and exemptions include:
Types of records
Information available under FIPPA from ministries and covered provincial agencies is listed in a Directory of Records.
This directory divides government record holdings into 4 categories:
General Records
General information that is not considered a Personal Information Bank or Public Records.
Common Record
A personal information bank that is common to more than one organization.
How to make a request |
Step 1: identify the information/records you want.
If you need help, the Directory of Records describes what kinds of information are held by provincial ministries and agencies covered by FIPPA. Step 2: identify the relevant organization(s) that has the information you want. If you need help identifying an organization, use the Directory of Institutions (a list of all public-sector organizations covered under Freedom of Information laws). Step 3: if you need assistance, call the Freedom of Information and Privacy (FOIP) coordinator at the organization you want information from. The FOIP coordinator deals with FOI requests made to their organization. They can tell you what information is held by their organization and can let you know if you can get the information, without making a formal FOI request Step 4: Make an official FOI request (if needed). |
Complete an Access or Correction Request form (or prepare a written letter providing sufficient information to identify the records you want) submit your letter or completed form to the relevant organization
Processing time
You will get a written response to confirm that your request has been received. Organizations have 30 calendar days to process FOI requests except in specific circumstances. They will notify you if a time extension is required.
Fees |
Application fee $5 for each FOI request. There is no application fee for a correction request to your own personal information. Check with the organization to see what forms of payment are available. Processing fees Additional fees apply to process a request. The processing fees depend on the nature of the request, including:
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You have the right to appeal any decision about access to records, made by organizations that are covered under Freedom of Information laws.
This includes appealing, if your request for information is denied.
You may file an appeal with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
You must:
Questions about a request
Contact the FOIP coordinator at the organization(s) you are seeking information from - for specific questions about your request.