The FOI Assist Seminar Series (2026) continues this fall with Seminar #5 — a free, practical Freedom of Information training session designed specifically for Ontario’s provincial and municipal institutions.
This seminar series is available exclusively to FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers.
Current subscribers can access the registration link for Seminar #5 through the subscriber-only Knowledge Base post.
If you are not yet a subscriber, you can still join. Subscribing to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base is free and gives you access to:
- The full FOI Assist Knowledge Base
- Ongoing FOI updates and practical guidance
- Registration links for the 2026 seminar series
- Future seminar announcements delivered directly to your inbox
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Seminar #5: Reducing FOI Request Volumes with the “Publicly Available Information” Exemption
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. Eastern (Toronto Time)
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Live online seminar (Zoom)
Responding to formal Freedom of Information requests can be labour-intensive. FOI requests are subject to detailed procedural requirements, limited flexibility, and strict statutory timelines.
But not every request for information needs to be processed through the formal FOI system.
The Publicly Available Information exemption under section 22 of FIPPA and section 15 of MFIPPA, together with the Informal Access provisions in section 63 of FIPPA and section 50 of MFIPPA, provide institutions with important alternatives to formal FOI processing.
Institutions can make records available through other channels — for example, by publishing information online, providing records informally upon request, or establishing alternative access systems. When information is available through an alternative method of access, institutions may also be able to refuse a formal FOI request for the same information and direct the requester to that alternative system instead.
This seminar will examine how Ontario institutions can develop and use alternative methods of disclosure to reduce unnecessary reliance on the formal FOI process, while continuing to provide effective public access to government information.
The session will focus on practical issues involving alternative disclosure systems, including:
- Establishing routine disclosure and other access systems
- The important difference between requests for general records and requests for personal information
- Handling requests for public records that may include personal information
- Reasonable fee structures
- When an alternative method of access can be made mandatory
- Encouraging requesters to use alternative disclosure systems
- Relying on the Publicly Available Information exemption to refuse formal FOI requests
This session is primarily intended for municipal staff, employees of universities, colleges, school boards, hospitals, police services, provincial agencies, boards and commissions, and FOI professionals at other Ontario public-sector institutions seeking practical strategies for reducing FOI request volumes and improving access to frequently requested information.
Participants will also receive:
- A short post-session quiz
- An individualized Certificate of Completion for participants who attend and pass, or an individualized Certificate of Attendance
- Credit toward the FOI Practitioner Certificate — FOI Assist Seminar Series (2026), awarded to participants who complete five or more seminars during the year
This session will be recorded and may be made available to registrants, FOI Assist clients, or other viewers after the event.
How to Register
Registration is reserved for FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers.
- Current subscribers: The registration link is available in the subscriber-only Knowledge Base post.
- Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base for free to gain access to the registration link and future seminar announcements.
To subscribe to the FOI Assist Knowledge Base, enter your email in the subscription box and click Subscribe.
If you know a colleague who would benefit from this seminar, please feel free to share this announcement. To help support the seminar series, you may also consider reposting it for others in your network.
If you are interested in learning more about how FOI Assist can support your institution’s Freedom of Information program, you are also welcome to request a demonstration of the FOI Assist software.
I look forward to seeing you!
Justin Petrillo
President & Founder
FOI Assist Corporation
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