Ottawa-based watchdog group Democracy Watch announced Thursday it is taking the Ford government to court over new freedom of information restrictions tucked into Ontario's 2026 budget — a move that advocates say could have sweeping consequences for public accountability across the province.
What's in the Budget?
The Ford government's 2026 budget included provisions that critics say significantly weaken Ontario's freedom of information (FOI) system. While the government framed the changes as part of broader administrative modernization, transparency advocates argue the measures make it harder for journalists, researchers, and ordinary citizens to access government records.
Democracy Watch, which has long monitored government accountability at federal and provincial levels, says the amendments are an attempt to limit scrutiny of public officials and institutions — and that they may violate constitutional principles around open and democratic governance.
Democracy Watch Pushes Back
"These changes are a direct attack on transparency and the public's right to know what its government is doing," said Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher in a statement released Thursday. The organization says it is working with legal counsel to file a formal challenge as soon as possible.
Democracy Watch has successfully challenged government actions in court before. The group has a track record of holding both federal and provincial governments accountable through litigation and public campaigns, particularly on issues related to lobbying rules, ethics laws, and access to information.
Why It Matters for Ottawa
For Ottawa residents and local journalists who regularly file FOI requests to track city spending, transit decisions, and public health data, provincial-level changes to information law can ripple downward. Many municipal agencies fall under or are influenced by provincial FOI frameworks, meaning tighter rules at Queen's Park can affect what Ottawans can learn about decisions that directly shape their city.
Local advocacy groups and journalists have increasingly relied on freedom of information requests to investigate everything from LRT procurement to public health unit communications. Any weakening of that system raises the stakes for civic transparency in the capital.
What Happens Next
Democracy Watch says it expects to file the legal challenge in the coming weeks. The case will likely center on whether the budget provisions are consistent with the principles underlying Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as well as broader constitutional values.
The Ford government has not yet publicly responded to the announced legal challenge.
Transparency advocates are urging Ontarians to pay attention to how this case develops — and to contact their MPPs if they believe open government is worth protecting.
Source: Global News Ottawa. Read the original article.
