FOI Assist Seminar Series: Frivolous and Vexatious Requests

The FOI Assist Seminar Series (2026) is underway — a free, practical Freedom of Information training program designed specifically for Ontario’s provincial and municipal institutions.

This seminar series is available exclusively to FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers. Current Knowledge Base subscribers have already received the registration link for Seminar #2 by email and can also access the registration link in the subscriber-only Knowledge Base post.

If you are not yet a subscriber, it’s not too late to join. New subscribers will automatically receive the registration link for the upcoming seminar after subscribing to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base.

Subscribing to the Knowledge Base is free and gives you access to:

• The full FOI Assist Knowledge Base
• The entire 2026 seminar series
• Ongoing FOI updates and practical guidance
• Future seminar registration links delivered directly to your inbox

To subscribe to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base, enter your email below and click Subscribe.

What to Expect in 2026

Throughout 2026, FOI Assist is hosting series of live, online seminars exploring Ontario’s Freedom of Information legislative framework — including FIPPA, MFIPPA, IPCO guidance, and practical examples drawn from real-world FOI scenarios.

Each seminar focuses on practical tools and best practices to help FOI professionals strengthen their workflows and improve legislative compliance.

Participants earn credit toward the FOI Practitioner Certificate — FOI Assist Seminar Series (2026), awarded to Knowledge Base subscribers who complete five or more seminars during the 2026 calendar year.

Seminar #2: Frivolous and Vexatious Requests

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern (Toronto)
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Live online seminar (Zoom)

This seminar will provide a practical overview of frivolous and vexatious requests under FIPPA and MFIPPA, including:

• The public’s “Right of Access” under FIPPA s.10(1) and MFIPPA s.4(1) — and its limits
• The statutory framework under FIPPA, MFIPPA and Regulations 460 / 823
• The meanings of “frivolous” and “vexatious”
• The four ways a request may qualify as frivolous or vexatious
• How IPCO decisions interpret and apply the statutory test
• Notice requirements and procedural best practices

Participants will also receive:

• A short post-session quiz
• An individualized Certificate of Completion for those who attend and pass
• Credit toward the FOI Practitioner Certificate (2026)

How to Register

Registration is reserved for FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers.

• Current subscribers: Your registration link has already been emailed to you and is available in the subscriber-only Knowledge Base post.
• New subscribers: You will automatically receive the registration link for Seminar #2 when you subscribe.

To subscribe to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base, enter your email in subscribe box and click Subscribe.

Please feel free to share this announcement with colleagues who may benefit from FOI training or who may wish to pursue the FOI Practitioner Certificate (2026).

I look forward to seeing you!

— Justin Petrillo
President & Founder
FOI Assist Corporation