“Freedom of Information — Not Freedom from Information”: MPP Smyth Slams Ford FOI Power Grab

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 March 2026

QUEEN’S PARK, ON — Today, MPP Stephanie Smyth, Ontario Liberal Critic for Ethics, Integrity & Accountability, issued the following statement regarding Doug Ford’s dismantling of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA):

It’s freedom of information, not freedom from information.

Today, Doug Ford told the people of Ontario something startling: that he doesn’t think he owes them transparency, accountability, or even the truth. When you have to rewrite a forty-year-old law just to hide your own scandals, something is seriously wrong.

So the question is: what’s Doug Ford hiding? Is it his phone records? The ongoing RCMP investigation into the Greenbelt scandal? Evidence that taxpayer dollars were handed out to insiders through the Skills Development Fund? Or is he trying to get ahead of future revelations before Ontarians can uncover them?

This isn’t about protecting Ontario. It’s about protecting Doug Ford. Ontarians are worried about hospital wait times, rising costs, and housing — but the Premier is only worried about protecting himself.

Freedom of information requests are a basic check and balance that has exposed scandals of real public interest — from the Greenbelt to the Skills Development Fund, from Ontario Place to the Science Centre, from the Premier’s infamous stag and doe to questions about his own phone records.

Freedom of information requests aren’t just for journalists or politicians. Anyone can file a request. It’s one of the most basic tools citizens have to hold those in power accountable.

Now Doug Ford wants to make it take longer to get answers and retroactively exempt the Premier, cabinet ministers, and their offices from scrutiny — even though FIPPA already protects cabinet confidentiality.

Good governments welcome transparency. This dishonest government is running from it. It’s time to put an end to the days of secrecy and let the truth speak louder than Doug Ford’s cover-ups.