The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) gives individuals the right to request access to information, including most general records and records containing their own personal information maintained by the Town of Renfrew. The fundamental purpose of the freedom of information process is accountability to the public. The Act also provides for the protection of personal information that has been collected by the municipality. The Act is based on the principles that:

• Information should be made available to the public;
• Individuals should have access to their own personal information;
• Exceptions to access should be limited and specific;
• The privacy of individuals with respect to the personal information the municipality collects and maintains shall be protected; and
• Decisions on access to government information may be appealed to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC/O).

Under the Legislation, the ‘Head’ of the Corporation is responsible for decisions made under the Act. For the Town of Renfrew, Town Council has delegated the responsibilities and powers of performing the duties as the ‘Head’ within the meaning of the Act to the Clerk. 

Copies of the legislation are available on-line at the following websites:

• The Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario 
• Ministry of Government Services