Ontario Pauses Freedom of Info Requests

The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, has paused the processing of all freedom of information requests. This move comes after the government implemented sweeping changes to transparency laws, which were passed into law on April 24. The changes exclude the premier, his cabinet, and their staff from disclosing records to the public.

The pause, which was communicated to senior civil servants via a Microsoft Teams message on May 14, was requested by the government's director of privacy, access, and cyber security. The reason for the pause is the need for new guidance on how the transparency changes will work. The pause affects all freedom of information requests, even those that do not include political staff records.

The changes to transparency legislation, which are the first major changes in four decades, have been criticized by the Information and Privacy Commissioner. The commissioner stated that the changes would diminish the public's right to information. Premier Doug Ford has downplayed the importance of freedom of information requests, saying that nobody cares about them and that the media is obsessed with them.

## What changed The new transparency laws, which were passed into law as part of the 2026 budget, have raised concerns among critics. The laws exclude the premier, his cabinet, and their staff from disclosing records to the public, which has been seen as a move to limit transparency. The pause on freedom of information requests has added to the concerns, with critics saying that it is evidence that the government is trying to limit access to information.

## Why it matters The pause on freedom of information requests has significant implications for the public's right to information. The changes to transparency laws and the pause on requests have raised concerns about the government's commitment to transparency and accountability. The public's right to information is a fundamental aspect of a democratic society, and any attempts to limit this right can have far-reaching consequences.

The pause on freedom of information requests is likely to affect not only the media but also the general public, who may be seeking information on various issues. The government's move to limit transparency has been criticized, and the pause on requests has added to the criticism. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by critics and ensure that the public's right to information is protected.