Freedom of Information Promise and Perils (Cont’d) March 30th, 2006

Trends – mid-1990s and early 2000s trends trends – slower processing times – more exempted material – more complaints possible explanations? possible explanations? – change in the way government “does business” – costs – government counter-attack against FOI

Freedom of Information basic description of the FOI regime basic description of the FOI regime FOI and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal FOI and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal FOI and the Gomery Recommendations FOI and the Gomery Recommendations

Strategies of Resistance malicious non-compliance malicious non-compliance adversarialism adversarialism amberlighting amberlighting disclosure of identities of requestors disclosure of identities of requestors pressure on ATIA officials pressure on ATIA officials problems in record-keeping problems in record-keeping – “...federal institutions have developed techniques for managing politically sensitive requests which now undercut basic principles of the ATIA.” Alasdair Roberts, Gomery, Vol.2, 117.

Adversarialism – Problems in Record-Keeping “The management culture has changed dramatically over the past 20 years from solid record-keeping, accountability and dedication to the public service and loyalty according to our oath of office to Canada, to avoidance of record-keeping and accountability, and dedication of loyalty to the individuals who appointed you and can promote you.” Former Public Servant quoted in Gomery, Recommendations, 35. “The management culture has changed dramatically over the past 20 years from solid record-keeping, accountability and dedication to the public service and loyalty according to our oath of office to Canada, to avoidance of record-keeping and accountability, and dedication of loyalty to the individuals who appointed you and can promote you.” Former Public Servant quoted in Gomery, Recommendations, 35. “Don’t write it if you can say it. Don’t say it if you can nod.” “Don’t write it if you can say it. Don’t say it if you can nod.” “We kept minimum information on the file in case of an access to information request.” Chuck Guite Testimony to Pubic Accounts Committe, April 2004 “We kept minimum information on the file in case of an access to information request.” Chuck Guite Testimony to Pubic Accounts Committe, April 2004

Explaining Government Resistance media use of ATIA media use of ATIA – more expert – more aggressive – more frequent/visible example – uncovering the Sponsorship Scandal example – uncovering the Sponsorship Scandal – Daniel Leblanc (Globe and Mail) first ATIA request, September 1999 first ATIA request, September 1999 – “Public disclosure of the Sponsorship Progrma was the result of efforst by a diligent journalist whose access to information request resulted in knoweldge about the Program, to the public and parliamentarians alike, for the first time.” Gomery, Vol.1, 431.

Freedom of Information basic description of the FOI regime basic description of the FOI regime FOI and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal FOI and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal FOI and the Gomery Recommendations FOI and the Gomery Recommendations

Freedom of Information basic description of the FOI regime basic description of the FOI regime FOI and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal FOI and the context of the Sponsorship Scandal FOI and the Gomery Recommendations FOI and the Gomery Recommendations

Gomery Recommendations re: FOI mandatory record-keeping mandatory record-keeping – Recommendation #16: The Government should adopt legislation requiring public servants to document decisions and recommendations, and making it an offence to fail to do so or to destroy documentation recroding government decisions, or the advice and deliberations leading up to decisions.”

Gomery Recommendations re: FOI mandatory record-keeping mandatory record-keeping amendments to ATIA amendments to ATIA – extension to federal government institutions not currently covered – limiting of exemptions reorientation from categorical exemptions to injury test reorientation from categorical exemptions to injury test reduce the kinds of records subject to injury test reduce the kinds of records subject to injury test – broadening the IC’s powers

Federal Accountability Act, 2006? Implement Information Commissioner’s recommendations for reform of the Access to Information Act. Implement Information Commissioner’s recommendations for reform of the Access to Information Act. Give the Information Commissioner the power to order the release of information. Give the Information Commissioner the power to order the release of information. Expand the coverage of the act to all Crown corporations, Officers of Parliament, foundations and organizations that spend taxpayers’ money or perform public functions. Expand the coverage of the act to all Crown corporations, Officers of Parliament, foundations and organizations that spend taxpayers’ money or perform public functions. Subject the exclusion of Cabinet confidences to review by the Information Commissioner Subject the exclusion of Cabinet confidences to review by the Information Commissioner Oblige public officials to create the records necessary to document their actions and decisions. Oblige public officials to create the records necessary to document their actions and decisions. Provide a general public interest override for all exemptions, so that the public interest is put before the secrecy of the government. Provide a general public interest override for all exemptions, so that the public interest is put before the secrecy of the government. Ensure that all exemptions from the disclosure of government information are justified only on the basis of the harm or injury that would result from disclosure, not blanket exemption rules. Ensure that all exemptions from the disclosure of government information are justified only on the basis of the harm or injury that would result from disclosure, not blanket exemption rules. Ensure that the disclosure requirements of the Access to Information Act cannot be circumvented by secrecy provisions in other federal acts. Ensure that the disclosure requirements of the Access to Information Act cannot be circumvented by secrecy provisions in other federal acts.

Implications of FOI Reform? criticisms... criticisms... – shifting values? – breaking the bargain?