Freedom of Information

The Town of Halton Hills is subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The Act holds the Town of Halton Hills accountable to ensure information is publicly available.

MFIPPA gives people the right to request access to information held by the municipality in accordance with the following principles:

Information should be made available to the public
Individuals should have access to their own personal information
Exceptions to access should be limited and specific
The privacy of individuals with respect to the personal information the municipality collects and maintains shall be protected
Decisions on the disclosure of information may be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner

What kind of information can I request?

First, contact the Town department directly for the information you require. Staff will provide access to information as per department policy and/or legislation (e.g., The Planning Act) or determine if a formal request under MIFPPA is required. Note, some Town departments have their own fee-for-service and request for information form.

Not all information is in the custody or control of the Town of Halton Hills. Contact the Regional Municipality of Halton for:

Purification, supply and distribution of water
Sewage collection and treatment
Solid waste disposal
Environmental information
Regional roads and storm sewers
Emergency planning for the Region of Halton (City of Burlington and Towns of Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills)
Social services
Public health services
Regional museum

How to submit a request under MFIPPA

Complete the MFIPPA Access/Correction Request form and pay the $5.00 application fee.

By credit card (Visa/MC)

Email completed MFIPPA form (page 1) to Freedom of Information
Call 905-873-2600, press “0” (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday)
Provide your full name, phone number, email (for receipt) and credit card information to Service Halton Hills staff
- Do not leave credit card information on Town voice mail

By cheque (made payable to the Town of Halton Hills)

Mail completed MFIPPA form (page 1) and cheque to:

Freedom of Information
Town of Halton Hills
1 Halton Hills Drive
Halton Hills, ON L7G 5G2
or put in the Night Drop Box (by front door of Town Hall, 1 Halton Hills Drive)

Correction to personal information

Any person who is given access to their own personal information may request the Town make a correction to that information if they believe the information to be incorrect. The Town will decide whether to make the correction or not. If the information is not corrected, the person may ask that a Statement of Disagreement be attached to the record to indicate that they do not believe the information is accurate.

To request a correction to personal information, complete the MFIPPA Access/Correction Request form and pay the $5.00 application fee.

By credit card (Visa/MC)

Email completed MFIPPA form (page 1) to Freedom of Information
Call 905-873-2600, press “0” (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday)
Provide your full name, phone number, email (for receipt) and credit card information to Service Halton Hills staff
- Do not leave credit card information on Town voice mail

By cheque (made payable to the Town of Halton Hills)

Mail completed MFIPPA form (page 1) and cheque to:
Freedom of Information
Town of Halton Hills
1 Halton Hills Drive
Halton Hills, ON L7G 5G2
or put in the Night Drop Box (by front door of Town Hall, 1 Halton Hills Drive)

Fees

The charging of fees is authorized by section 45(1) of the Act. An individual who makes a request for access to information under MFIPPA must pay a $5 application fee. In addition, the requester must pay the fees based on Section 6 of R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 823 for:

Photocopies and Computer Printouts ($0.20 per page)

Preparing a record for disclosure, including severing a part of the record, $7.50 for each 15 minutes spent by any person
Manually searching a record, $7.50 for each 15 minutes spent by any person
For developing a computer program or other method of producing a record from machine readable record, $15 for each 15 minutes spent by any person

Rates & Fees By-Law 2020-0071

Drawings and Plans ($5.15 each)
Off-Site Storage Record(s) Retrieval of one box ($42)
Cost per additional box from off-site ($2.10 each)

Other fees

USB ($10)
Courier Service ($30)
Registered Mail ($15)

Appeals

If you are not satisfied with the Town's response to your request submitted under MFIPPA, you may, within 30 days of receipt of the decision letter, appeal it to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

Registrar
Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario
2 Bloor Street East
Suite 1400
Toronto, ON M4W 1A8

Toll free: 1-800-387-0073

There is a $10 appeal fee for requests related to accessing or correcting your personal information and a $25 appeal fee for requests related to accessing general records. Cheques should be made payable to the Minister of Finance.

Frequently asked questions

How long will my request take to complete?
As per MFIPPA, the Town will render a decision within 30 calendar days of receiving your request and $5 application fee.
For requests that involve a large number of records, an extensive search, or consultation with an external third party, the time may be extended as per the legislation and you will be advised accordingly.
Is there any way to expedite my request?
We can note the records are needed urgently, however there is no guarantee a decision will be made before the legislated 30 day time frame.
Is there any chance I will receive the records sooner than 30 days?
Many requests are completed before the legislated 30 day time frame. It is important to include a phone number and email address on the MFIPPA form so we can reach you between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday).
How are records released through MFIPPA?
You can arrange for the hard copy or digital release of the requested records (see Fees). In certain situations you will have to provide proof of your identity prior to the release of any records.

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