Recent Articles

  • AMCTO Municipal Monitor (Q2 2022)

    AMCTO Municipal Monitor (Q2 2022)

    The newest issue of the AMCTO Municipal Monitor just came out this week. It includes a very flattering promotional article about the FOI Assist software with testimonials from some of FOI Assist’s terrific municipal clients.

  • 2022 AMCTO Conference: Getting Ready!

    2022 AMCTO Conference: Getting Ready!

    I’m looking forward to representing FOI Assist at the 2022 AMCTO Conference as an exhibitor. It’s just a few days away!

  • The “Other Acts” Exclusion

    The “Other Acts” Exclusion

    Freedom of Information professionals should be aware of exclusions found in legislation other than FIPPA and MFIPPA that may apply to access requests received by their institution.

  • New FIPPA/MFIPPA Reference Card

    New FIPPA/MFIPPA Reference Card

    I have created a 5×7″ double-sided reference card to help FOI Professionals remember some of the tricky details specific to general records requests, access to personal information requests, and correction requests under both the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, including a…

  • Third-Party Personal Information

    Third-Party Personal Information

    When processing an FOI request for access to personal information, can the institution use FIPPA s.21(1) / MFIPPA s.14(1) to exempt third party personal information from disclosure? The short answer is “no”, but the slightly longer answer is, “not exactly”.

  • General Records Requests vs. Personal Information Requests

    General Records Requests vs. Personal Information Requests

    Today’s article is intended to provide an overview of the similarities and differences between general records requests and access to personal information requests.

  • Action plan for large FOI requests

    Action plan for large FOI requests

    Today’s article is intended to give institutions an initial plan of action they can follow when a large request is received

  • Forwarding or Transferring Requests

    Forwarding or Transferring Requests

    What happens when a requestor sends a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the wrong institution?

  • Charging Fees When No Records Are Found?

    Charging Fees When No Records Are Found?

    Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and its Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) both give institutions the right to charge fees for the work involved in responding to an Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Besides the $5.00 application fee (which is applicable to every disclosure request),…

  • Looking Forward

    Looking Forward

    I’m incredibly thankful for the time that many institutions have invested in learning about how the FOI Assist software can help their practice, whether through self-directed research, or by booking a demonstration of the software.

  • Why Charge an Application Fee for Each FOI Request?

    Why Charge an Application Fee for Each FOI Request?

    Last week, news organizations announced with dismay that British Columbia may impose an application fee of $25 for Freedom of Information requests filed in that province. Currently, in British Columbia, applicants can file an FOI request for free and pay no search charges unless the request is for public records (rather than personal information) and…

  • Should your institution accept FOI requests online?

    Should your institution accept FOI requests online?

    Today’s article is intended to dive into the complexities of accepting FOI requests online, and to help you evaluate whether accepting FOI requests online makes sense for your institution.