Ontario Premier Doug Ford has rejected criticism from the province’s information and privacy commissioner over proposed changes to freedom-of-information (FOI) laws, calling the concerns “politically driven.”
The proposed changes would prevent records from the premier’s office, cabinet ministers, and their staff — including cellphone communications — from being subject to public disclosure. Ford argued that the move is intended to align Ontario with practices in other provinces and at the federal level, while also protecting sensitive personal information shared by residents.
He also pointed to the high volume of FOI requests in Ontario, saying the system is placing a heavy burden on government resources. According to Ford, tens of thousands of requests each year consume significant time that could be better spent on other priorities.
However, Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim has strongly opposed the changes. She warned that limiting access to such records could weaken transparency and public accountability. Kosseim argued that information about government decision-making should remain accessible, especially when public officials use personal devices for official business.
The disagreement highlights growing tensions over transparency and privacy, with critics warning that the proposed law changes could reduce oversight of government actions, while the government maintains they are necessary for efficiency and privacy protection.