Ontario’s Budget Bill (Bill 97), which includes significant changes to Ontario’s Freedom of Information framework, passed Third Reading in the Legislative Assembly yesterday.
As the vote was counted, opposition members jeered and chanted “F-O-I! F-O-I!” across the chamber — a sign of how controversial the proposed changes to Ontario’s Freedom of Information laws have become.
With Third Reading complete, the bill now awaits Royal Assent, the final step before it becomes law. The amendments to FIPPA and MFIPPA are expected to become law within the next two weeks, with no changes to their original wording.
Given how quickly these changes have occurred, next week’s FOI Assist Seminar may be one of the only opportunities for Ontario’s FOI professionals to get up to speed before the new rules take effect.
FOI Assist Seminar Series: Significant Changes to Ontario’s FOI Legislation
https://foiassist.ca/2026/03/30/foi-assist-seminar-series-significant-changes-to-ontarios-foi-legislation/
Registration remains open, and the seminar is free for FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers.
If you have colleague at another institution who would benefit from understanding the new deadlines and other FOI changes, please feel free to forward this message or to share the seminar announcement link above.
FOI Assist Knowledge Base 
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