Request province review Municipal Freedom of Information Act
General Committee makes recommendations; City Council makes the final decision.
Council approved this on December 11, 2023 as part of its consent agenda, without a separate vote. See the consent vote →
Councillor Votes
Full Resolution Text
Whereas, Council for the Corporation of the City of Peterborough has received correspondence from numerous municipalities supporting the need to update the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy of Protection Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56 and; Whereas, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act R.S.O. 1990 (MFIPPA) is over 30 years old and; Whereas, municipalities, including the City of Peterborough, practice and continue to promote open and transparent government operations, actively disseminate information and routinely disclose public documents upon request outside of the MFIPPA process and; Whereas, government operations, public expectations, technologies, and legislation surrounding accountability and transparency have changed and; WHEREAS the creation, storage and utilization of records has changed significantly and; Whereas, Regulation 823 under MFIPPA continues to reference antiquated technology and does not adequately provide for cost recovery, and these financial shortfalls are borne by the municipal taxpayer and; Whereas, multiple requests from an individual, can be challenging for a municipality due to finite staff resources, the expense of producing a record due to its size, number or physical location and the operational impacts to respond to requests for records within the framework for extensions under the Act. Be It Resolved, the Province of Ontario be requested to undertake a review of the MFIPPA for the purpose of updating the Act to respond the to challenges currently faced by municipalities and that the City Clerk be directed to send correspondence on behalf of City Council to the Ontario. Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery.