The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) allows access to records held by the municipality in accordance with the following principles:
- Information should be made available to the public;
- Individuals should have access to their own personal information;
- Exceptions to access should be limited and specific;
- The privacy of individuals with respect to the personal information the municipality collects and maintains shall be protected; and
- Decisions on the disclosure of government information may be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
To access records held by the Township of Guelph/Eramosa:
- First, try contacting the Township Department that holds the records. The staff in that department will decide if a formal MFIPPA request is needed or discuss the request with the Legislative Services Department to make a determination. The Township tries to disclose as much information as possible to the public without the need to make a formal request under MFIPPA. However, requests for information containing personal information or third party information may require a formal request.
- If a formal MFIPPA request is required, complete a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request Form and include as much detail as possible about the information being requested.
- Submit the request, along with the required application fee to:
Township of Guelph/Eramosa
Clerks/Legislative Services Department
8348 Wellington Road 124
P.O. Box 700
Brucedale, Ontario N0B 2K0
Email: clerks@get.on.ca (Instructions will be provided on how to e-Transfer the application fee)
Freedom of Information requests are usually processed within 30 days.
The following fees may be charged in response to requests for information.
- Application fee: $5 to be paid when you submit your request.
- Search time: $7.50 for each 15 minutes required to search and retrieve records.
- Record preparation: $7.50 for each 15 minutes required to prepare records for release.
- Photocopying: $0.20 per page.
- Computer programming: $15 for each 15 minutes needed to develop a program to retrieve information.
- CDs: $10 for each CD.
You will be given a fee estimate if the fees are likely to be more than $25. If the estimate of fees is $100 or more, you may have to pay a 50 % deposit. Fees may be paid by cash, money order, certified cheque, and debit card.
If you are not satisfied with the Township’s response to your request, you may appeal the Township’s decision to the Information and Privacy Commissioner. This commissioner is appointed by the Provincial Legislature and is independent of any government or public institution. The commissioner may be contacted at:
Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario
2 Bloor Street East
Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8
Phone: 1-800-387-0073
There is a $10 appeal fee for requests related to accessing or correcting your personal information. There is a $25 appeal fee for requests related to accessing general records. Appeal fees may be paid by cheque or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance.
For more information, contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
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.
Download the personal information bank index to identify areas where the Township may collect personal information.
The following can be very helpful information regarding access to information:
Clerks Department
8348 Wellington Road 124
P.O. Box 700
Brucedale, Ontario N0B 2K0
Phone: 519-856-9596 ext. 125
Email: clerks@get.on.ca