THE LONG SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

There isn’t even a comprehensive listing of the city’s lodging homes available online, never mind inspections, violations or consumer ratings.

Jan. 19 — Feb. 6, 2018

Alleged bylaw offences occur at Laburnum Lodge in Dundas.

March

I learn of the charges and begin trying to obtain court documents.

April 12

Amelia Acierto, owner of Laburnum, has her first court appearance. I missed it because I was unable to find out when it was happening.

April 26

I call the City of Hamilton communications department to ask for inspection records for lodging homes owned by Amelia Acierto. I don’t get any. I am referred to the supervisor of municipal prosecutions.

June 22

I file a Freedom of Information request with the City of Hamilton asking for documents related to health and safety at Laburnum.

July 13

A letter from the FOI officer tells me there are 600 pages of records, including “inspection reports, typewritten notes, photographs and copies of email messages.” Due to the “significant volume of records,” the city wants to extend its own decision deadline to July 27. I agree to the extension.

July 31

A letter from the FOI officer says the records search is ongoing by Licensing and By-law Services and Public Health Services. The fee estimate to fulfil my request is $348.70. I need to pay half by Aug. 21. I deliver a cheque to city hall on Aug. 17. It has never been cashed.

Oct. 2

I leave a phone message for the FOI officer asking when I will get the information I requested.

Oct. 4

I get an email from the FOI officer saying, “Unfortunately, it is taking more time to complete the review and issue an access decision than anticipated … I expect to issue an access decision by Oct. 19.”

Oct. 23

I leave another phone message for the FOI officer asking when I will get the information.

Oct. 24

I get an email from the FOI officer telling me the office has been advised by another city department of “ongoing court proceedings” related to my request. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act does not apply to the records until the court proceedings are finished. “Our office expects to conclude the secondary review within the next few days, with the City’s final access decision issued to you shortly thereafter.”

Nov. 13, 2018

In a court proceeding lasting two and a half minutes, four charges against Acierto are withdrawn. She pleads guilty to the three remaining charges. No details about the offences are given.

Feb. 4, 2019

I email and phone the FOI officer because the court case concluded in November and I still don’t have any of the information I requested.

Feb. 5

I receive an email from the FOI officer that I will have a final decision on my request by Feb. 21.