Bill 97 — Permanent FOI Exemption for Premier and Ministers
On April 23, 2026, the Ford government passed Bill 97, rewriting Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to permanently exclude the Premier's Office, cabinet ministers, parliamentary assistants, and all political staff from FOI requests. The changes are retroactive to 1988, nullify dozens of pending FOI cases, and override a court order directing Ford to release personal cellphone records. The Information and Privacy Commissioner said the law makes Ontario less transparent than any other Canadian jurisdiction. Democracy Watch is preparing a constitutional challenge. An Abacus Data poll found only 24% of Ontarians supported the policy (cited in Globe and Mail editorial, April 21, 2026).
🔍 An in effect Transparency policy from April 2026 · Bill 97 · Well sourced
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