Freedom of Information and Privacy

The Durham District School Board (DDSB)'s website contains many records that are available to the public without a formal freedom of information request. Key documents such as procedures, policies, press releases, agendas and minutes are easily accessible.

If you can't find the information you're looking for on the Durham District School Board (DDSB) website, you can:

  • Email us at foi.privacy@ddsb.ca with a question to determine whether a formal request of information should be submitted
  • Submit an information request to the Freedom of Information Officer
  • Phone us at 905-666-5500 or toll free at 1-800-265-3968

If an information request is complex or sensitive, it may require a more formal process called a Freedom of Information Request (FOI). In this case, you can get information through the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), which protects:

  • The public's right of access to information
  • An individual's right to protection of privacy

This includes most general records and any records containing an individual's own personal information. An individual only has access to their own personal information, and no access to personal information about other students/employees.

Make an FOI request

To submit for an FOI request:

  1. Complete the correct request form and describe exactly the information you want
  2. Enclose the $5 application fee
  3. Deliver the completed form to the Freedom of Information Officer/General Counsel, Durham District School Board, at 400 Taunton Rd. E., Whitby, ON L1R 2K6

Cost for FOI request

We charge the following costs for your request, according to FOI legislation:

  • $30 per hour of search and preparation time for general information
  • $0.20 cents/page for photocopying
  • Postage fees

Other charges could include computer programming time or any costs incurred by the Board in completing your request. If your request is likely to be more than $25, we will provide you with a cost estimate before we do the work.

Response wait period

FOI legislation allows us 30 days to respond to requests, but we will get back to you as soon as we've gathered the information.

Appeals

If you are not satisfied with our response to your request, you can file an appeal to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner within 30 days of the Board's decision.

Resources

For more information about FOI requests, you can contact 905-666-5500 (or 1-800-265-3968) ext. 6023 or visit one of the following websites: