Ontario’s transparency watchdog is confirming a pause on all freedom of information requests, which lasted more than a week, has officially been lifted, as Premier Doug Ford says only “the media party” cares about transparency rules.
Before the Victoria Day long weekend, senior civil servants who process access to information requests across the provincial government were told to pause their work while new guidance rules were written.
The pause, confirmed to Global News by sources, wasn’t formally announced or initially shared with the province’s transparency watchdog.
While the premier’s office has not responded to questions about the pause over the past two days, the Information and Privacy Commissioner confirmed it had taken place and, on Friday, that it was over.
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“Our understanding is that FOI offices were instructed to pause responses to FOI requests while updated guidance was developed on the interpretation and application of the new retroactive exclusion of government-related records held by the premier, cabinet members, parliamentary assistants, and political staff,” a spokesperson for the commissioner said in a statement.
“We further understand that the pause has since been lifted with the release of the guidance, which we hope will provide clear and consistent direction to OPS staff on how to interpret and apply these new precedent-setting provisions.”
The relatively unprecedented freeze on freedom of information requests is something the population doesn’t care about, Premier Ford said Friday.
“You know who FOIs? The media party, they’re obsessed with it,” he claimed.
“We’re duplicating what the federal government is doing, simple. We were an outlier. I should have done this eight years ago, but I didn’t. The media party can focus on that, I’m going to focus on job creation.”
The government-wide freeze on transparency requests, however, impacted thousands of FOIs filed by members of the public, lawyers and businesses.
Data from the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario shows that, in 2024, a little over 1,000 requests — or about four per cent of the 27,000 total — came from the media.
Members of the public filed more than 7,000 requests that year, while businesses filed almost 11,000. Individuals using agents filed another 7,000.
The freeze was initially communicated to civil servants using a Microsoft Teams message, sources previously told Global News.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the government was using recent, controversial changes to freedom of information laws “as an excuse to obliterate access to any information now.”
wow. The media care about FOIs huh Doug? You dont say genius. Its their job to expose government waste and corruption. We all know why you restricted this info. You will pay on election day.
Wrong, Doug. The people do in fact care about FOIRs. Infact we care about you claiming we don’t, because it shows how little you respect us or your duty in governance. I am so sick of the corruption.
RELEASE THE GRAVY PHONE!!
Ford IS a liberal VINNY.
Gus – sounds like a boatload of not much. Dalton McGuinty called and said ‘you think thats bad?…’
Internal cabinet documents (ie. The decision-making process) were already not subject to FOI requests, Im somewhat surprised they had to change any law at all…
Classic conservative corruption while others call it liberal
@ Dee No, he’s just like his glamping buddy, Carney.
“We’re duplicating what the federal government is doing, simple.”
Ford, showing his true colours.
Classic Liberal corruption.
As a taxpayer, I demand transparency in government.
Let’s count the missteps and costs that the government has placed on the Ontario taxpayer, and where the money went:
1. Trump advertisements. Ad agencies (Creative Currency – links to conservative party), and placements in the US (money sent out of Canada).
2. Contract with the Beer Store cancelled one year ahead of end of contract. $225 million. Payable to the owners of The Beer Store (Molson-Coors, AB InBev, Sapporo… money sent out of Canada).
3. The Gravy Plane. Take over airport to expand for jets. Purchase jet. Sell jet (at a loss).
4. Metrolinks. The mismanagement of the Eglinton crosstown rail project to the point where executive management could not state what needed to be done to open the line.
Doug, you wanted the big chair. It comes with responsibility. You work for us, and we need to know. Based on the above, trust is earned, and you haven’t earned it.
Ford is just like Trump. Bashes the judges, media and anyone that doesn’t agree with him. He’s all bark!! Really trying to say it’s just the media, not the public. Wonder if Ford got a ton of calls from the public (like he always says), cause that proves he’s being transparent, those were his words in an article that was written when he bought the private jet) when he changed stores to be open on holidays or the expansion of Billy Bishop airport. I’m part of the public, the information law act shouldn’t have been changed, and was passed in a legislative meeting at midnight. If the public doesn’t care why was there a huge protest at Queens park by the public a week ago. Ford wants to hide every corrupt thing he does, so he can’t get caught. Ford is a a liar and a bullshitter. He ought to start doing something about the health care, education, high unemployment in Ontario.