Sunday, 15 March 2026

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BREAKING NEWS:

Ford government proposes FOI law change that would keep premier's records secret

Minister Stephen Crawford said province is 'modernizing' its freedom of information laws

Ontario is set to make Premier Doug Ford and cabinet members' records secret as it "modernizes" freedom-of-information laws, which critics say will dramatically curtail public scrutiny of the political process.

Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Minister Stephen Crawford, however, said his government is still "one of the most transparent governments in the history of Ontario," citing an open data catalogue, an audit of a regulator and a move eight years ago to publish financial information from the former Liberal government.

"We're very focused on transparency," he said at a news conference Friday.

The changes will be retroactive and may put in jeopardy numerous ongoing battles by news organizations fighting for information about the Greenbelt scandal and Ford's cellphone records, including an ongoing court case over the latter. The government is trying to prevent the release of those records.

Once enacted, the new law will mean that records of the premier, cabinet ministers, parliamentary assistants and their offices would no longer be subject to freedom-of-information laws. Members of the public could still request records held by public servants in government ministries.

'Public accountability is eviscerated': privacy commissioner:

• Ontario government has spent $270K on outside lawyers in fight to remove bike lanes: FOI

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WATCH | Critics last year called on the province to launch the delayed Greenbelt review:
Ford government 'dodging accountability': Greens leader:

• Ontario set to table budget March 26, with eye on productivity and competitiveness: minister

• Premier Ford defends Ontario's Skills Development Fund in wake of ethics probe

Read More:

Mar 13, 2026 10:46 AM EDT | Last Updated: March 13

- CBC -