Updated FIPPA/MFIPPA Reference Card (With Bill 97 Changes)

The FOI Assist FIPPA/MFIPPA Reference Card has been updated to reflect the significant changes to Ontario’s freedom of information legislation introduced by Bill 97.

The 5×7″ double-sided reference card was originally created as a quick reference for FOI professionals working under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). It includes commonly needed information relating to fees, timelines and deadlines, steps to consider when processing a request, and the exemptions and exclusions under FIPPA and MFIPPA.

With the Bill 97 amendments now in force, the card has been revised to reflect the new legislative framework. Among other things, the updated card reflects the new 45-business-day response timeline, the new staged access plan process, and the newest exclusions added by Bill 97, including Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act, Custody of a minister and Parliamentary Assistants.

If you have visited FOI Assist at a conference this year, there is a good chance you already have a copy of the updated reference card — we have been handing them out at conferences throughout 2026.

That said, if you do not have an updated copy yet, please let me know your mailing address and I would be happy to mail you one at no charge. (Priority will be given to provincial and municipal FOI professionals, as well as to FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscribers.)

Becoming an FOI Assist Knowledge Base subscriber is free. Just enter your email address below and click Subscribe.

The reference card is intended to be a convenient desk-side resource for anyone who regularly processes FOI requests under FIPPA or MFIPPA. I hope you find this updated version useful!

I also recommend trying FOI Assist’s free Business Day Calculator if you are looking for an easy way to calculate the new business-day deadlines under FIPPA and MFIPPA.

And there is still time to sign up for the next free FOI Assist seminar on October 15, 2026, Reducing FOI Request Volumes with the “Publicly Available Information” Exemption. Click here for more information and registration details.