Access to Information

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA; the Act) establishes a general right of access to records held by municipal government and local agencies, boards and commissions. The Act serves two general purposes: to provide a right of access to records held by an institution, and to protect personal information held by institutions.

Freedom of Information Requests (FOI)

Formal requests to access information held by the City of Stratford are made to the City Clerk's Office. MFIPPA outlines procedures for accessing and releasing information as well as a number of exemptions where information may not be released.

Requests must be made in writing or they can be made by submitting a Freedom of Information Request Form along with the $5 application fee.

Freedom of Information Request Form

MFIPPA currently provides 30 days for response to access requests. As of July 1, 2026, MFIPPA will provide 45 business days for an institutions formal response. If the City requires more time, you will be notified.

Fees

The following fees apply to Freedom of Information requests:

• $5 per application
• $7.50 per 15 minutes of time spent searching for, retrieving and preparing a record for disclosure, including the time to sever any part of the record in accordance with the exemptions under the act
• $0.20 per page for photocopying and computer printouts

Other fees may apply depending on the nature of the request.

Fees may be paid in cash, cheque, or debit payable to the City of Stratford.

City of Stratford
Clerk’s Office
PO Box 818
Stratford ON N5A 6W1

If we believe the request will cost more than $25, we will contact you for approval to proceed or to give you the opportunity to revise your request in order to reduce the cost.