The City of Port Colborne is subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

MFIPPA holds the City accountable and ensures that information is publicly available.

MFIPPA gives you the right to access municipal government information/records and as well, requires that any personal information held by the City of Port Colborne is protected.

How to make a Freedom of Information Request (FOI)

  • Complete the Freedom of Information Request Form.
  • When making your request be as specific as possible to get the information that you need.
  • Submit your request and the mandatory application fee of $5.00 in person or by mail to:

City Clerk

City of Port Colborne

66 Charlotte Street

Port Colborne, ON L3K 3C8

Additional fees

The following fees may also be applied to your request:

  • $0.25 per page for photocopying
  • $7.50 for each 15 minutes of manual record search time (doesn't apply for requests for personal information)
  • $7.50 for each 15 minutes spent to prepare records for disclosure (doesn't apply for requests for personal information)

Note: These fees are prescribed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

How long does it take to receive a response after I submit my FOI request?
  • Completed application is received by the MFIPPA Coordinator.
  • The MFIPPA Coordinator contacts responsible departments/divisions to notify of request and are asked to provide responsive records in a prescribed time.
  • Records reviewed to determine if exemptions apply under the MFIPPA.
  • Records severed to remove non-responsive or exempt information.
  • Interim decision letters may be issued regarding fee estimates, third party notices, time extensions, etc.
  • In most cases, decision letters issued within 30 days after date of application.

Correction to personal information

If you are requesting access to, or a correction of your own personal information, please include with your completed application form, a photocopy of a piece of identification (e.g. driver's licence) bearing your signature. This will allow City Staff to verify your identity so that your personal information is not disclosed to someone other than yourself. 

Expedited requests

It is not possible to expedite a request. It may be noted that a request is urgent, but there are no guarantees of a response time shorter than 30 days.

How to make an appeal with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

If you are not satisfied with the City of Port Colborne's response to your request for information or the fee estimate, you can make an appeal to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

You must file your appeal within 30 days of receiving the decision letter or fee estimate.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) accepts appeals and privacy complaints.