Request Public Records Correction - Burlington

General Governance and Administration Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of Ontario

In Burlington, Ontario, individuals who believe their personal information held by the City is inaccurate or incomplete can seek a correction under provincial access and privacy rules. This guide explains who handles corrections, how to apply, timelines, appeals and practical steps to resolve record errors with City departments.

Overview

The City of Burlington processes access and privacy matters through the City Clerk and the office responsible for records and privacy. Requests to correct personal information are governed by Ontario's Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). For official City guidance and submission details, see the City of Burlington records and privacy pages City of Burlington - Records & Privacy[1] and the provincial statute MFIPPA (R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56)[2].

Start by contacting the City department that created the record before filing a formal correction request.

How correction requests work

A correction request typically asks the City to review personal information and either correct it or annotate the record if a correction is refused. Under MFIPPA the head of the institution (usually the City Clerk) must correct or annotate as required by the statute or follow the process set out in the Act.[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties specific to failure to process correction requests are governed by MFIPPA enforcement provisions. Exact monetary penalties for contraventions of correction provisions are not specified on the cited City page; consult the provincial statute for offences and enforcement details.[2]

  • Enforcer: City Clerk / Head of Institution for City of Burlington; complaints and compliance matters may be reviewed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.IPC[3]
  • Appeals: If you disagree with the City’s decision, you can apply to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario for a review; specific time limits for appeals are set out in MFIPPA and on the IPC site.[3]
  • Fines and sanctions: Specific fine amounts for correction-related offences are not specified on the City page; check the provincial statute and IPC guidance for enforcement and offence provisions.[2]
  • Non-monetary remedies: correction orders, annotation of records, notices to third parties and referrals to the IPC for review.
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: contact the City Clerk or submit a formal complaint/request through the City’s records and privacy process.[1]
If the City refuses a correction, you may request that your statement of disagreement be attached to the record.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes guidance for records requests and contact points, but a named correction form and specific fee amounts for corrections are not specified on the City page; the City’s records and privacy pages list how to submit requests and contact details.[1]

Action steps to request a correction

  • Identify the record and department that holds the information.
  • Collect supporting documents that show the information is inaccurate or incomplete.
  • Contact the City department directly; if unresolved, submit a formal request to the City Clerk using the City’s Records & Privacy submission route.[1]
  • If the City refuses correction, file a complaint or request a review with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.[3]
Keep copies of all communications and attach evidence when you ask for a correction.

FAQ

Who can request a correction of public records held by the City?
Any individual who believes the City holds their personal information that is inaccurate or incomplete may request a correction under MFIPPA.
How long does the City have to respond?
Specific City response timelines for correction requests are governed by MFIPPA timelines; if not provided on the City page, they are detailed in the provincial statute and IPC guidance.[2]
Is there a fee to request a correction?
The City page does not specify a separate fee for correction requests; check the City’s records and privacy pages for any fees associated with access requests.[1]

How-To

  1. Locate the specific record and note the inaccuracies you want corrected.
  2. Gather supporting documents proving the correct information.
  3. Contact the City department responsible for the record to request an informal correction.
  4. If the informal route fails, submit a formal correction request to the City Clerk via the City's records and privacy process.[1]
  5. If the City denies the request, apply to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario for a review.[3]
If your correction is refused, request that your statement of disagreement be attached to the record.

Key Takeaways

  • You can request corrections to personal information held by the City of Burlington under MFIPPA.
  • Start with the department that holds the record and escalate to the City Clerk if needed.
  • If the City refuses, the Information and Privacy Commissioner provides review and appeal options.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burlington - Records & Privacy
  2. [2] Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
  3. [3] Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

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