The Provincial Government recognizes September 25 to October 1, 2023 as Right to Know Week 2023. Recognized in all provinces and around the world, this week recognizes the importance of the right of access to information held by governments and other public bodies.
Newfoundland and Labrador has been recognized as having one of Canada’s most progressive pieces of legislation governing access to information. The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA, 2015) ensures government transparency and accountability by providing the public with the right of access to records as well as protecting the privacy of individuals whose personal information is collected, used and disclosed by public bodies.
In 2022-23, an estimated 3,000 requests for information were received by the Provincial Government. This is a significant increase from 2015-16, the year ATIPPA, 2015 was introduced, when 1,410 requests were received.
In recognition of the importance of the right of access to information, as well as the challenges that staff experience fulfilling this volume of requests, in Budget 2023 the Provincial Government allocated an additional $2 million in funding to transform departmental access to information and protection of privacy by creating a more integrated approach and streamlined process. This included centralizing access to information and protection of privacy within departments, expanding the role of the ATIPP Office and moving it within Executive Council.
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“As a government, we are committed to openness, transparency and accountability, and our actions reinforce the weight we put on these principles. We proactively share information and reports, and we’ve increased investments in the ATIPP Office. We have also strengthened the Auditor General’s legislation to provide greater oversight, and will soon bring forward amendments to ATIPPA, 2015 following significant consultations. With a more integrated approach, we look forward to contributing to greater consistency and transparency in access to information.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for the Access to Information & Protection of Privacy Office
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