Freedom of Information

What is the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act?

The purposes of this Act are,

(a) to provide a right of access to information under the control of institutions in accordance with the principles that,
- (i) information should be available to the public,
- (ii) necessary exemptions from the right of access should be limited and specific, and
- (iii) decisions on the disclosure of information should be reviewed independently of the institution controlling the information; and
(b) to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to personal information about themselves held by institutions and to provide individuals with a right of access to that information. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56, s. 1.

Complete the Request for Access to Record Information Form (pdf document at the bottom of the page) or write a letter setting out which “records” you are seeking
If you decide to write a letter, make sure to include:
- Your full mailing address.
- Your telephone number where you can be reached during the day.
- The names of the specific files or types of records you would like access to
- A photocopy of a piece of identification with your signature on it, such as driver’s licence, but only if you are requesting access to your own personal information.
- A signed and dated letter of consent if you are acting as an agent for someone else.
Pay the $5.00 application fee – cash, or cheque or money order made payable to the “Municipality of Hastings Highlands”
Mail your application form or letter and $5.00 application fee to the Clerk’s Office, or drop it off in person to the Clerk’s Office.

Not necessarily; the Municipality will often routinely disclose records and information to the public.
Contact the program you believe has custody or control of the records you are seeking to see if the information can be disclosed informally to you.
A formal FOI request may be required when:
- You are requesting access to records to which a mandatory exemption to disclosure may apply, such records containing another individual’s personal information or confidential information provided by other businesses or government agencies.
- You are requesting access to records where a discretionary exemption under MFIPPA is applicable, such as records subject to solicitor-client privilege, records relating to law enforcement investigations, etc.
- You are requesting access to a voluminous amount of information.
- Research Fees will be charged on a per hour basis in accordance with the municipality’s user fee bylaw.

30 calendar days from the day the Municipality receives both your written request and $5.00 application fee.
Where voluminous records are requested an extension of the 30 day limit may be issued and you will be advised accordingly.
If a third party notice is required, the 30 day time limit starts from the day the notice is sent to the third party.
If consultations are required with persons outside of the Municipality, a notice of extension to the 30 days may be issued for the amount of time needed for the consultations to take place; you will be advised accordingly.