Access to Information requests

Incoming requests – please be advised

The quickest way to submit a Freedom of Information request is to email your completed request form to [email protected]. Once your email is received, privacy staff will contact you to make payment arrangements for the $5 application fee. Requests can also be mailed or dropped off at City Hall. If you would like more information or if your request is urgent, please contact us at [email protected] or 519-822-1260 extension 2349.

You can request access to general records or personal information (about yourself), or request a correction of personal information by completing the Access/Correction Request Form. Hard copies of this form are available for pick up from the ServiceGuelph counter in City Hall (1 Carden St, 1st Floor, Guelph, ON N1H 3A1)

Completed forms can be dropped off at the ServiceGuelph counter or mailed to:

Access, Privacy and Records Specialist
City Clerk’s Office
City Hall, 1 Carden St, 4th Floor
Guelph, ON
N1H 3A1

Please include the $5 application fee in the form of cheque (payable to the City of Guelph) or money order. Do not mail cash.

Fees

The City of Guelph may apply the following fees in accordance to the Act:

Personal information requests

A request for information about oneself is considered a “personal information request”.

The following fees apply to requests for your own personal information:

  • Photocopying – $0.20 per page
  • Diskettes/CD’s – $10
  • Computer Programming – $15 per ¼ hour if needed to develop a program to retrieve information

General information requests

Requests for information, whether about a person other than yourself or about a government program or activity are considered “general information requests”. The following fees apply to requests for general information:

  • Search Time – $7.50 per ¼ hour required to search for and retrieve responsive records
  • Record Preparation – $7.50 per ¼ hour required to sever and prepare records for release
  • Photocopying – $0.20 per page

Requestors will be given the opportunity to view documents on site. Photocopying fees may apply.

Submitted Forms

Review the process that is followed once you’ve submitted a form.

Processing Time

The City of Guelph should respond to your request within 30 calendar days, unless the records are complex. In such cases, you will be notified by the Information, Privacy and Records Coordinator.

Will I be granted access to everything I requested?

The Act contains limited and specific provisions which direct the City to withhold records containing certain types of information. If your request falls under one of these provisions it may be denied, or your copy of the record may contain severed portions.

A few examples of information that will not be released include:

  • Names and addresses of everyone who applied for a particular job vacancy;
  • Name of a complainant;
  • A legal opinion given by the City Solicitor to Council on a matter involving litigation.

What if I’m not satisfied with the City’s response to my request?

If you are unhappy with the City’s decision you have the right to appeal to the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Additional information on the appeal process is provided at the bottom of each decision letter issued by the City of Guelph.

Contact information

For questions about the Freedom of Information process please contact:

Information and Access Coordinator
City Clerk’s Office
1 Carden Street
Guelph, ON N1H 3A1
519-822-1260 extension 2349
[email protected]