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What is it?

 "Democratic progress requires the ready availability of true and complete
information. In this way people can objectively evaluate their government's policy.
To act otherwise is to give way to despotic secrecy." -Pierre E. Trudeau 

Freedom of information legislation refers to the regime for accessing public information held by a government. It generally indicates what information is accessible by the public and what is not, such as, personal information or information related to national security in times of war.  

In a landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision in Dagg vs. Canada, Justice Laforest wrote “the overarching purpose of access to information legislation, then, is to facilitate democracy. It does so in two related ways. It helps to ensure first, that citizens have the information required to participate meaningfully in the democratic process, and secondly, that politicians and bureaucrats remain accountable to the citizenry.”

History of Right to Know Day

Right to Know Day was established on the 28th of September, 2002 in Bulgaria to celebrate the creation of the international Freedom of Information Advocates Network. The goal of Right to Know Day is to raise global awareness of individuals’ right to access government information and to promote access to information as a
fundamental human right. The core principles of Right to Know as expressed by the Open Society Justice Initiative are:

·         Access to information is a right of everyone.
·         Access is the rule; secrecy is the exception!
·         The right applies to all public bodies.
·         Making requests should be simple, speedy, and free.
·         Officials have a duty to assist requestors.
·         Refusals must be justified.
·         The public interest takes precedence over secrecy.
·         Everyone has the right to appeal an adverse decision.
·         Public bodies should proactively publish core information.
·         The right should be guaranteed by an independent body.

Since 2002 the popularity and scope of Right to Know day has grown and in 2006 the celebrations included at least 60 non-governmental organizations and information commissions/commissioners. The Day was celebrated in over forty nations world wide. Some of the festivities that have taken place in the past to commemorate Right to Know Day include conferences and debates involving government officials, NGOs and others; release of special reports and studies on the subject of ATI and Right to Know; and awards in recognition of those who support ATI rights as well as condemnation for those who neglect them. Right to Know Day continues to grow and expand each year, both internationally and within Canada, with more participants and new exciting events being added.

Right to Know Week

“Right to Know Week” starts on Sunday, September 28, 2008 and runs until
October 3, 2008.  During the week, events are held to focus public attention on
the vital role access to information plays in promoting open government.

 Why is the Right to Know So Important?

In British Columbia, the public’s right to know is supported by the BC Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  The right of access gives the public
the ability to request records relating to the decisions, operations, administration
and performance of government.  The underlying premise is that citizens are
best equipped to hold government accountable, and better able to participate in
the democratic process, when they have timely access to relevant information.

EVENTS

 “The State of Open Government in BC and Canada: A1 or 911?”

How healthy is the state of open government, federally and provincially?  Access to information legislation is intended to make governments more accountable by giving citizens’ the right to access records on what governments think, do and how they perform.  Is the system working?  Are we a more informed citizenry, better able to hold government’s feet to the fire?  Or do we know less than before?  Is open government in need of emergency care, and what is the remedy?

Please join Assistant Information Commissioner of Canada Suzanne Legault and BC Information and Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis share their thoughts on the health of transparent government across the country.

 Wednesday, October 1, 2008
12:00 noon-1:30 pm
Greater Victoria Public Library
Central Library Boardroom
735 Broughton Street
Victoria, BC

Bring your brown bag lunch

This seminar is free to the public, however, seating is limited and seating must
be reserved.  To reserve a seat, please contact Maria Dupuis at 250-387-7299 or
email us at info@oipc.bc.ca
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“Government Secrecy in BC and Canada:
Are we winning the struggle?"

Documents recording the decisions of government—past and present—are essential
in the quest for transparent government.  Neither the public nor elected officials can ever hope to hold the government to account if they do not have sufficient information about government activity.  Nor can the government adequately demonstrate it has used public resources responsibly if the records are not preserved or easily made available for scrutiny.  Hear two global experts Professor Alasdair Roberts and Professor Emeritus Terry Eastwood discuss the current threat in BC to the preservation of vital government records and the opportunity Canada has to take a leadership role in strengthening open government nationally and around the world. 

Wednesday October 1, 2008
7:00 pm—10pm
1400-1410 Segal Centre
Simon Fraser University
Harbour Centre
515 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC

Admission is free, but seating is limited, so come early to ensure admission 

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Attention Teachers!

Support national Right to Know Week by discussing with your students the importance of openness and transparency in a healthy democracy.

Right to Know teaching materials can be downloaded here:

                      WORKBOOK                                  POWERPOINT
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F                    Win an iPod Touch!
Are you an RTK graduate?  Or an RTK pre-schooler? Take this on-line test to explore your access and privacy knowledge! This fifteen-question quiz will test your expertise and present you with a report card. Please note that your answers and scores will not be stored by the OIPC, and once your score has been provided your answers will be automatically deleted.  We will not use any information collected except for the purposes of this contest. If you have any questions about the privacy of your personal information, please contact Elizabeth Barrett at (250) 387-5629.

Complete the online quiz!

For more information contact:  Pat Egan or Tim Mots 250-387-5629 or through
Enquiry BC at 1-800-663-7867 
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“Democracy 101--Grading the State of Open Government in
British Columbia:  Pass or Fail?"

 Free and Open to the Public

In 2001 the newly elected BC government promised to become the most “open and accountable government in Canada”.  Eight years later, have we arrived?  Has BC become the most open and accountable government in Canada?  What are the
ongoing and emerging threats facing open government in this province?  What opportunities exist to enhance transparency in governments?

Please come hear Mary Carlson, Executive Director, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner share her views on the health of transparent government and provide information on how members of the public can exercise their statutory right
to access information.  For more information please contact Maria Dupuis at
250-387-5629.

Monday, September 29, 2008
7:00—8:30 pm
The Forum (Council Chambers)
100 E Jensen Avenue
 Parksville, British Columbia


Tuesday, September 30, 2008
7:00—8:30pm
Room C226, North Island College
1685 South Dogwood Street
Campbell River, British Columbia

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“The Right to Know or the Right to No:
 Accessing Government Records"  

What are your rights to access records in the hands of government agencies?  What happens if the government refuses to give you access to those records, or “blacks out” information from those records?  What can you do if you think the government is “hiding” records?  Cory Martinson and Trevor Presley, two investigators for the
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner provide advice and guidance on
how to exercise your statutory rights.

 Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Special Presentation to the Journalism Students
Kwantlen University
Surrey, British Columbia

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Special Presentation to the Media Law and Ethics Students
Thompson Rivers University
Jour 470, 2:30 pm
Kamloops, British Columbia

 Friday, October 3, 2008
Special Presentation to Students
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School
100 Mile House, British Columbia

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BC Assessment Celebrates "Right to Know Week"

BC Assessment is recognizing and supporting “Right to Know Week” by e-mailing to all our employees throughout the province a quiz containing 20 multiple-choice questions designed to draw our attention to some key areas of our work which are impacted by the Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act.  Once staff complete the quiz and electronically submit the answers, they will receive an automated response containing not only the correct answers but also an explanation as to why those answers are correct.  Staff are donating door prizes.  The quiz is designed to be informative and fun for all BC Assessment participants.

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