Eleanor DuboisOntario's omnibus budget bill — officially called the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, 2026 — passed its final vote at Queen's Park on April 24, 2026, making sweeping changes to tenant rights, freedom of information access, and consumer protections. For Ontario residents, the impact is immediate and wide-ranging.
What Is Ontario Bill 97?
Bill 97 is the Ford government's 2026 budget implementation legislation. Described by critics as an omnibus bill that bundled significant policy shifts with routine budget measures, it covers three main areas: tenant-landlord rules under the Residential Tenancies Act, major changes to Ontario's freedom of information (FOI) framework, and new ticket resale price caps.
The bill passed despite skipping standard committee review sessions and was debated during a rare late-night sitting of the legislature, which prompted sharp criticism from opposition parties. It is now awaiting Royal Assent.
Tenant Rights: What Changes for Renters
The most immediately relevant changes for millions of Ontario renters concern renovictions and air conditioning rules.
Air conditioning protections. Under Bill 97, tenants now have the legal right to install air conditioning units in their rental unit. However, tenants must notify their landlord in writing and must demonstrate the unit is installed safely without causing damage to the building. Landlords who include electricity in the rent are permitted to charge a seasonal rent increase during the period an air conditioning unit is in use.
Renoviction safeguards. A major loophole in Ontario tenant law has been partially closed. Under the new rules, landlords who claim they need vacant possession to complete extensive renovations must now provide a professional report — from a qualified engineer or architect — confirming that the work genuinely requires the unit to be empty. This is a significant procedural change designed to deter fraudulent renoviction claims.
Higher fines for non-compliance. Maximum fines under the Residential Tenancies Act have been doubled. Individuals who violate tenant protection rules now face fines up to $100,000, and corporations face fines up to $500,000. This change is intended to make enforcement meaningful where it previously lacked teeth.
According to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, these amendments represent the most significant revision to Ontario tenant protections in several years.
FOI Changes: What Gets Hidden From Public View
The most controversial element of Bill 97, according to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and multiple opposition parties, is the rewriting of Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
The amendments, which the CCLA called "the most restrictive changes to FIPPA since its creation almost 40 years ago," do the following:
Exempt ministerial and staff records. Records of the Premier, cabinet ministers, parliamentary assistants, and their staff are retroactively exempted from FOI requests, unless those records are also physically stored in an institutional repository. In practice, this means most communications between senior government officials may no longer be accessible to journalists, researchers, or ordinary citizens.
Double response timelines. The standard window for institutions to respond to FOI requests has been extended from 30 calendar days to 45 business days — a change that, in effect, stretches the practical response window to roughly 9 weeks.
Shift from calendar to business days. Most other deadlines have been converted from calendar days to business days, further extending practical wait times.
Critics argue these changes make it significantly harder for Canadians to hold the Ontario government accountable. Proponents argue they give public institutions more realistic timelines to process complex requests.
What the Ticket Resale Cap Means for Consumers
Bill 97 also advances Ontario's ticket resale price cap legislation to third reading. While the final details are still being refined, the cap is designed to limit the markup at which tickets for concerts and sporting events can be resold. Consumer advocacy groups have welcomed this provision, though some industry critics argue it may push resale activity to unregulated platforms.
Do You Need a Lawyer? When to Consult an Expert
The changes to tenant rights and the FOI framework both carry significant legal implications for individuals in specific situations.
For tenants facing renoviction, the new report requirement creates a procedural right you can invoke — but landlords may still attempt to circumvent it. If you have received a renoviction notice, a tenant rights lawyer can assess whether your landlord has complied with the new obligations and advise on your options.
For journalists, researchers, and businesses that rely on FOI requests, the expanded exemptions mean that some categories of government information that were previously accessible may now be blocked. A lawyer specializing in access to information law can help you understand whether an alternative legal route — such as a judicial review — might be available for specific categories of records.
For anyone fined or threatened with enforcement under the new penalty regime, the doubling of maximum fines makes the stakes considerably higher. Legal advice on compliance — particularly for landlords — is now more important than at any point in recent memory.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Ontario legislation and does not constitute legal advice. Individual situations vary. Consult a qualified Ontario lawyer for advice specific to your circumstances.
The Bigger Picture
Bill 97 represents a pattern in Ontario legislative practice: bundling contentious reforms with less controversial budget items to limit scrutiny. The FOI changes in particular have drawn comparisons to similar moves in other Canadian provinces that critics argued weakened accountability over time.
Whether or not you agree with the Ford government's policy choices, understanding your rights under the new framework is essential. Ontario residents who believe their tenant rights have been violated, or who wish to challenge information access decisions, now have clearer rules — and clearer limits — under which to act.
