The Access to Information Act and Proposals for Reform
https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/200555E
Question Period Notes
https://search.open.canada.ca/en/qp/
Completed Access to Information Requests
https://open.canada.ca/en/search/ati?_ga=2.69692565.406018153.1536604353-1818651053.1522773341
Access to information – general info, including filing formal and informal requests
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy.html
Open By Default – Investigative Journalism Foundation
https://theijf.org/open-by-default
Access to Information Act: Plain Language Guide to Exemptions and Exclusions
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy/aia-plain-language-guide.html
Search Briefing Note Titles and Numbers
https://search.open.canada.ca/en/bn/
Open Government – Proactive disclosure and access to information
https://open.canada.ca/en
Information About Programs and Information Holdings (formerly Info Source)
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy/access-information/information-about-programs-information-holdings/sources-federal-government-employee-information.html
Documents Released in Answer to ATI Requests of General Interest
https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/impact-and-accountability/access-to-information/documents-released
Search and download completed Access to information requests on archival records – Library and Archives Canada
https://telechargerdemandesaicompletees-downloadcompletedatirequests.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/search
Secret Canada – The Globe and Mail’s access-to-information search tool
https://www.secretcanada.com/
CAIRS
http://www.davidmckie.com/coordination-of-access-to-information-requests-system-cairs/
STATUS OF HOUSE BUSINESS: PART III – WRITTEN QUESTIONS
https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/house/status-business/page-12
Canada FOI Resource Website
https://canadafoi.ca/federal-access-to-information/
Sessional papers’ catalogue
https://bit.ly/3Fmk2yR
Info Matters podcast
https://www.ipc.on.ca/media-centre/info-matters-podcast/
Google Alert
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/4815696?hl=en
British Columbia FOI
https://canadafoi.ca/british-columbia-foi/
https://canadafoi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/BC-news-index-update-preface.-Sept.-25.-2024.pdf
https://canadafoi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Best-B.C.-FOI-news-stories-2021-2024.pdf
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Access to Information and Privacy Coordinators
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/atip-aiprp/apps/coords/index-eng.asp
Information about programs and holdings
https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy/access-information/information-about-programs-information-holdings.html
Access to Information: general info
https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/hgw-cgf/oversight-surveillance/atip-aiprp/ai/index-eng.asp
Access to Information request forms
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tbsf-fsct/350-57_e.asp
epost Connect
https://www.canadapost.ca/cpc/en/business/postal-services/digital-mail/epost-connect.page
PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES
Alberta
http://www.servicealberta.ca/foip/
British Columbia
Main: http://www.gov.bc.ca/citz/iao/foi/
Completed requests:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/search?id=4BAD1D13C68243D1960FECBBF7B8B091
Manitoba
Main: http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/fippa/
Completed requests: https://www.manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/fippa.html
Proactive disclosure:
https://www.manitoba.ca/openmb/index.html
https://manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments/index.html
New Brunswick
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/finance/office_of_the_chief_information_officer/content/rti.html
New Brunswick directory of public bodies
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/tb-ct/pdf/ripp-dipp/DirectoryofPublicBodies.pdf
Newfoundland and Labrador
Main: http://www.atipp.gov.nl.ca/info/accessrequestform.html
Completed requests: http://atipp-search.gov.nl.ca/
Northwest Territories
https://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/en/access-to-information-held-by-public-bodies/
Nova Scotia
Info: http://novascotia.ca/is/programs-and-services/information-access-and-privacy.asp
File a request online: https://iaprequest.novascotia.ca/
Completed requests: https://openinformation.novascotia.ca/
The Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia
http://www.nsrighttoknow.ca/
Nunavut
http://www.gov.nu.ca/eia/information/how-place-atipp-request
Ontario
https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-make-freedom-information-request
Prince Edward Island
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/justice-and-public-safety/freedom-information-and-protection-privacy-foipp
Quebec
Main: http://www.cai.gouv.qc.ca/english/
Yukon
Main: https://yukon.ca/en/request-access-information-records
Completed requests: https://yukon.ca/en/your-government/open-government/view-atipp-access-information-summaries
CITIES
Calgary
https://www.calgary.ca/CA/city-clerks/Pages/Information-Access-Privacy/FOIP-request.aspx
Information disclosure: https://www.calgary.ca/ca/city-clerks/legislative-services/confidential-information-release.html
Edmonton
http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/freedom-of-information-and-privacy.aspx
Fredericton
http://www.fredericton.ca/en/right-to-information-and-protection-of-privacy
Halifax Regional Municipality http://www.halifax.ca/AccessPrivacy/index.php
Completed requests: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/accountability-transparency/access-information/completed-requests
Hamilton
http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/CorporateServices/Clerks/MFIPPA_adn_PHIPA.htm
Moncton
https://www.moncton.ca/my-govt-work/right-information-and-protection-privacy-act
Montreal
http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5798,39687582&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Ottawa
Main: http://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/your-city-government/access-information-and-privacy
Completed requests: https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/accountability-and-transparency/accountability-framework/freedom-information-and-protection-privacy/disclosure-mfippa-requests
Regina
Main: https://www.regina.ca/city-government/administration/office-of-the-city-clerk/#outline-access-to-information-and-protection-of-privacy
Completed requests: http://open.regina.ca/group/freedom-of-information
Saskatoon
https://www.saskatoon.ca/city-hall/send-comments-concerns-city/freedom-information
Completed requests: https://open.toronto.ca/dataset/freedom-of-information-requests-summary/
Vancouver
Main: http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/foi/index.htm
Completed requests: http://vancouver.ca/your-government/information-released-through-foi-requests-this-year.aspx
Winnipeg
Main: http://winnipeg.ca/clerks/fippa/
Completed requests: http://winnipeg.ca/clerks/fippa/AccessToInfo.stm
Whitehorse
https://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/about-council/what-we-do/freedom-information
COMPLETED ACCESS REQUESTS
Federal
https://open.canada.ca/en/search/ati
British Columbia
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/search?id=4BAD1D13C68243D1960FECBBF7B8B091
Vancouver
http://vancouver.ca/your-government/information-released-through-foi-requests-this-year.aspx
Manitoba
https://www.manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/departments.html
https://www.manitoba.ca/openmb/infomb/fippa.html
Winnipeg
http://winnipeg.ca/clerks/fippa/AccessToInfo.stm#1
Regina (Note: not all are freedom-of-information responses)
http://open.regina.ca/group/freedom-of-information
Nova Scotia
https://informationaccess.novascotia.ca/
Halifax
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/accountability-transparency/access-information/completed-requests
Newfoundland
http://atipp-search.gov.nl.ca/
Yukon
https://open.yukon.ca/data/sites/default/files/20200800-Release.pdf
Access-to-information driven stories
Canadians dying while on medical wait lists reaches five-year high, report finds
https://nationalpost.com/news/canadians-dying-while-on-medical-wait-lists-reaches-five-year-high-report-finds
Report finds thousands of Canadians dying while on medical wait lists _ National Post.pdf
Waitlist Deaths at Five-Year High
https://secondstreet.org/2023/12/06/waitlist-deaths-at-five-year-high/
Deportations surge as regularization stalls for the undocumented
https://bit.ly/46N4xLM
Deportations up as regularization stalls for undocumented.pdf
Ottawa urged to create pathway for undocumented migrants to stay as deportations rise
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-urged-to-let-people-here-illegally-stay-as-deportations-rise/
Internal government polls capture desire for balanced budget, housing spending
https://globalnews.ca/news/10185846/internal-government-polls-desire-balanced-budget-housing-spending/
Expert wonders why feds killed information registry
https://www.ctvnews.ca/expert-wonders-why-feds-killed-information-registry-1.293708
Feds dispute Canada’s dismal ranking in report on freedom of information
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/feds-dispute-canadas-dismal-ranking-in-report-on-freedom-of-information/article9011887/
The Harper Years: Tough Times For Reporters In Canada
https://rsf.org/en/harper-years-tough-times-reporters-canada
Readings
Chaper 10 Digging Deeper – Getting Behind Closed Doors: Using the Information Laws, page 237
Additional resources
Dean Beeby’s access-to-information tipsheet.pdf
Example of an Ontario request:
http://www.davidmckie.com/Ontario%20Data%202018%20Request.pdf
Access to information in the news
Anand’s misleading plan to combat misinformation
https://bit.ly/45cEK0a
Ottawa issues ‘sunset clauses’ for historical records access
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ottawa-recommends-timelines-for-access-to-historical-records/
Access to information system needs to be fixed, Poilievre says
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-access-to-information-system-needs-to-be-fixed-poilievre-says/
Another blow to freedom of information from the Supreme Court
https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/march-2024/mandate-letter-court-ruling/
Ten ways to improve your searches
1. Look to the headlines for ideas.
2. Check the relevant federal websites for forms, contacts, info on departmental holdings.
3. Call the access co-ordinator before making your request.
4. Call the co-ordinator after submitting your request.
5. Make similar requests to more than one department, agency or government.
6. Keep a photocopy or scan of each request and attach all return correspondence.
7. Negotiate with departments, agencies or governments.
8. Be persistent. If necessary, complain.
9. Read and re-read the records you receive carefully.
10. Don’t get discouraged.
Resources
How to use Statistics Canada’s data tables
https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/sc/video/howto
How to use Statistics Canada’s Canadian International Merchandise (CIMT) web app
https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/sc/video/CIMT-web-application
Click here to see a complete example of federal, provincial and municipally-based access-to-information requests required for the assignment.
Click here to see an example of a formal federal access-to-information request.
Click here to see an example of a provincial request.
Click here to see an example of a municipaly based request
Dean Beeby’s blog about journalism and transparency
https://www.deanbeeby.ca/blog