The Township of Guelph/Eramosa is committed to openness, accountability, and transparent decision-making. Provincial legislation, primarily the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), provides the public with the right to request access to any municipal records, while also protecting the privacy of individuals by establishing rules for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information.
We strive to make as much information as possible available through our website and other public resources. If the information you are looking for is not already publicly available, you may submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request using the form below to access existing municipal records, subject to the provisions and exemptions set out in MFIPPA.
Looking for information in the possession of the municipality? Try these steps before submitting a formal FOI request:
- Review the Township's website. Trouble navigating the website? Contact the Township's Deputy Clerk via email to twint@get.on.ca or by calling (519) 856-9596 ext. 107.
- Try contacting the relevant Township department that holds the records.
If staff determine that a formal FOI request must be submitted, submit your inquiry using the application form embedded below. Questions about the FOI process? Contact the Township's Deputy Clerk via email to twint@get.on.ca or by calling (519) 856-9596 ext. 107.
The Freedom of Information (FOI) request process is governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). This legislation governs how municipalities collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information, while also providing the public with a right of access to municipal records.
While the Township has a responsibility under MFIPPA to intake FOI requests, it is the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) that oversees the administration of MFIPPA across the province. The IPC is an independent office that provides guidance on access to information and privacy matters, investigates privacy complaints, and hears appeals from individuals who disagree with decisions made by municipalities in response to FOI requests.
NOTE: There is a $10 appeal fee to be paid to the IPC for for requests related to accessing or correcting your personal information. There is a $25 appeal fee for requests related to accessing general records.
As of July 1st, 2026, municipalities have 45-business days to release records requested through the FOI process, as per Section 19(1) of MFIPPA. However, in certain cases municipalities may:
- Issue an extension if completing the search would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the institution; or,
- Create a Staged Release Plan to deliver records in phases.
Provincial legislation related to records disclosure is subject to change. Reach out to the Township's Deputy Clerk if you have questions about the current timelines related to the FOI process.
The following fees may be charged in relation to FOI requests submitted under MFIPPA, as permitted by Section 6 of O.Reg. #823:
- Application Fee: $5.00 - To be paid prior to staff initiating a review of your request.
- Search Time Fee: $7.50 for every 15-minutes of staff time required to search and retrieve records.
- Record Preparation Fee: $7.50 for every 15-minutes of staff time required to prepare records for release (e.g., redaction, format changing, etc.).
- File Release (Photocopies): $0.20 per page - To be paid prior to record release.
- File Release (CDs or USBs): $10 for each CD or USB - To be paid prior to record release.
Once staff have completed their review to identify responsive records, you will be given a fee estimate if the fees are likely to be more than $25. In accordance with Section 7(1) of O.Reg. #823, if the estimate of fees is $100 or more, you may have to pay a 50% deposit.
Personal Information Banks
The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) requires the Township to keep an updated Personal Information Bank and to make it available for the public to view.