The Municipal Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended (MFIPPA), provides members of the public with a right of access to certain records held by the municipality while protecting the privacy of an individual’s personal information held by the municipality.

MFIPPA provides for a documented process when an individual makes a request for access to records. Upon receipt of a request (click here for a form) and payment of the required fee, staff have 30 days from the date received at the municipality in which to render a decision on whether to grant access. Under certain circumstances requests may take longer than 30 days (volume and type of information requested, third-party requests); you will be notified if this is the case.

MFIPPA also provides for number of exceptions (either mandatory or permissive) which restrict access to certain information (e.g., personal information, trade secrets, law enforcement, solicitor-client privilege, etc.). Decisions regarding access to records are made by staff of the Clerk’s Department and may be appealed to the Information & Privacy Commissioner’s Office of Ontario for a fee. MFIPPA also provides that copies of records may be provided once the appropriate fee has been paid.