Retrenchment and Freedom of Information: Recent Experience Under Federal, Ontario, and British Columbia Law

Canadian Public Administration, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 422-451, Winter 1999

43 Pages Posted: 2 Dec 2008

See all articles by Alasdair S. Roberts

Alasdair S. Roberts

University of Massachusetts Amherst - School of Public Policy

Date Written: December 23, 1999

Abstract

A large majority of Canada's federal, provincial, territorial, and local governments are now required to comply with freedom of information (FOI) laws. Some critics have argued that long-standing problems of non-compliance have been aggravated during the recent period of public sector retrenchment. However, good evidence of non-compliance has been lacking. In this study, statistical reports produced by government institutions are used to assess recent trends in the administration of the federal Access to Information Act and Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Limited data is also used to study British Columbia's FOI law. Data suggests that policy decisions in these three jurisdictions have lead to a weakening of FOI laws. Three reforms are proposed: Better reporting by departments and agencies on their handling of FOI requests; a change in the enforcement strategy traditionally used by federal and provincial Information Commissioners; and a reconsideration of methods used to levy fees on individuals and organizations who make FOI requests.

Keywords: freedom of information, right to information, access to information, government secrecy, retrenchment, downsizing, restructuring

Suggested Citation

Roberts, Alasdair S., Retrenchment and Freedom of Information: Recent Experience Under Federal, Ontario, and British Columbia Law (December 23, 1999). Canadian Public Administration, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 422-451, Winter 1999, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1308990

Alasdair S. Roberts (Contact Author)

University of Massachusetts Amherst - School of Public Policy ( email )

Thompson Hall
Amherst, MA 01003
United States
6175999029 (Phone)

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