Freedom of Information
Counter Service
Purpose of the Act
The purpose of the Municipal Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Legislation is to make municipal governments more open and accountable to the people of Ontario, while at the same time, protecting an individual’s right to privacy.
Since the Act became law on January 1st 1991, every person has a right to information contained in the records of an institution. Institutions must provide access to the information unless the record is exempt under the Act. The Act is to ensure the right of access to information and the right to protection of personal information which is subject to editing.
The Process
To begin the process, if you are a resident of Perth, you must attend the Perth Police Station and obtain a Request Form, or complete the one contained in this website and take it to the Perth Police Station. A $5.00 fee must accompany the application. Until the fee is received, the request does not become official. You will be asked to provide proof of identity when you submit the application. If the request is on behalf of a youth under the age of 16, proof of guardianship / custodial rights must be supplied. The $5.00 fee is kept by the Perth Police regardless of the outcome of the application.
If you want records concerning only yourself, it’s referred to as personal information. If you want information concerning someone other than yourself, it’s referred to as general information. Both requests require the $5.00 fee in order to start the process. When filling out the application, it is important that you concise and specific about what information you require.
Once the application and fee are received, the police have 30 days to complete the report. If clarification is required or notification is sent to third parties for consent, or if extra fees have been requested, the time stops. The time starts again when the information if received.
FEES
General Information
Application Fee: $5.00 to be paid when request is submitted
Search Time: $7.50 per 1/4 hour required to search and retrieve records
Record Preparation: $7.50 per 1/4 hour required to prepare records for release
Photocopying: $ .20 per page
Computer Programming: $15.00 per 1/4 hour if needed to retrieve information
Floppy Disk: $10.00 per disk
Personal Information
Application Fee: $5.00 to be paid when request is submitted
Photocopying: $ .20 per page
Computer Programming: $15.00 per 1/4 hour if needed to retrieve information
Floppy Disks: $10.00 per disk
Click on the link to access a Freedom of Information Form:
If you have any questions about Freedom of Information, you may contact the Administrative Assistant, Eunice Goodenough, at 613-267-3131.
You will be given a fee estimate if it’s anticipated that fees will be $25.00 or more. If the estimate of fees to be paid is $100.00 or more, you may be required to pay a 50% deposit.
The only information that can be released must pertain directly to the requester or concerning a young person in their care. Information regarding a third party can not be released without written consent being obtained by the Police.
There are various reasons why information may be exempt from release under the Act. The
If the applicant disagrees with the outcome of their request, they can ask for a review by the Information and Privacy Commissioner, 80 Bloor Street West,
461-326-3333. There is an appeal fee of $25.00 for general information and $10.00 for personal information. A cheque or money order is to be made payable to the Minister of Finance. The applicant has 30 days to make this appeal.
