Vancouver's GIS data now available to public

http://data.vancouver.ca/index.htm
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Support for FOI changes (Tasmania) - ABC News Article

http://m.abc.net.au/browse?page=11144&articleid=2688430&cat=TAS&extra=regional&title=Support%20for%20FOI%20changes...
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Music to Accompany Right to Know Week

Greetings from the west coast of Canada,

This request is sent to 154 groups and people from around the world who are interested in Freedom of Information.

Right To Know Week, the week to raise awareness about freedom of information, is approaching (Sept 28 to Oct 2). But to celebrate and raise awareness about freedom of information we need music!

Please take a minute or so to think of songs & music that usher in something of the spirit of freedom of information. Suggestions can be submitted here.

www.tinyurl.com/rtkmusic

Songs will be posted at www.opengovernmentrecords.net as they come in so that they can be used in Right to Know week celebrations.

Mark Weiler
Burnaby, BC
Canada

Know How They Vote - NS Legislature

Image by TomFlemming via Flickr

Know How They Vote

Crusading for Accountability in the Nova Scotia Legislature

 

From the About page of the Know How They Vote website:

In 2008 Nova Scotia celebrated 250 years of democracy, making it the oldest democracy in Canada. Indeed, Nova Scotians had much to celebrate.

However, in our progression as a Province we can spot many cases where democracy, in its most pure form, appears to be lacking. The ability of citizens to hold their MLA to account in the Nova Scotia Legislature is obstructed by the lack of recorded votes in Hansard, the official recording of all business in the Legislature. Nova Scotians have no way of knowing how their MLA voted on crucial issues affecting their families and communities.

In the past 6 years, spanning the 59th and 60th General Assemblies, 853 Bills have been introduced, debated and voted upon in the House. Of these 853 Bills, only 12 votes  were recorded in Hansard. The rest of the Bills were voted on anonymously, with no indication of which MLAs voted in support and against.

This blog was created to raise awareness about the lack of accountability citizens currently have over their MLAs, and to pressure citizens, media and MLAs themselves to change the voting behaviour of the Nova Scotia Legislature. The blog will also monitor Hansard regularly for the 61st General Assembly and will post all recorded votes that occur. My goal is that this will serve as an educational tool for Nova Scotians to hold their MLA to account.

Michael Kennedy

http://knowhowtheyvote.wordpress.com/

Freedom of information is your right - Hamilton Spectator

Freedom of information is your right - Hamilton Spectator: "

Freedom of information is your right Hamilton Spectator "How do I file a freedom of information request? What are the restrictions? What do I do if I'm not satisfied with the information I get back? ...

"

Radical Transparency For Political Survival

Radical Transparency For Political Survival: "By Monday afternoon the public was in receipt of information that just a few years ago would have taken months of leaks, subpoenas and freedom of ...
"

Adoption records becoming accessible

Adoption records becoming accessible: "Personally, I believe words such as shame and secrecy should never be associated with adoption. Understanding and acceptance are more appropriate. ...


See all stories on this topic"

Health Ministry IS the most secretive

Health Ministry IS the most secretive: "“Swaziland urgently requires the FOI legislation to counter the prevailing culture of secrecy in public institutions,” said Michael Motsa, ...


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Connecticut court opens door for patients to see peer review records

Connecticut court opens door for patients to see peer review records: "Victor R. Perpetua, an attorney for the state's Freedom of Information Commission, said any peer review records obtained through an FOI request still could ...


See all stories on this topic"

FOI FYI » Blog Archive » Happy International Right to Know Day

FOI FYI » Blog Archive » Happy International Right to Know Day: "According to FOIAnet, a network of about 200 FOI organizations in 75 countries, about 90 countries have FOI laws and six countries are adopting FOI laws (Bangladesh, the Caymen Islands, Chile, the Cook Islands, Guatemala and Uruguay). ...



FOI FYI - http://blogs.spjnetwork.org/foi/"

Privacy Commissioner Investigating Canadian Mortgage Brokers

Privacy Commissioner Investigating Canadian Mortgage Brokers: "... the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner has confirmed that it is reviewing the practices of mortgage brokers across Canada relating to their ...


See all stories on this topic"

EPIC Celebrates International Right to Know Day

EPIC Celebrates International Right to Know Day: "Today, EPIC celebrates International Right to Know Day, which was established to raise awareness of every individual's right of access to government-held information. EPIC is speaking at American University's Third Annual International Right-To-Know Day Celebration concerning opportunities to restore US leadership in government transparency. Recently, the Obama Administration announced revisions to the 'state secrets' privilege and increased access to White House visitor records. Both initiatives aim to expand disclosure of information. Last week, EPIC filed papers to force the Department of Homeland Security to comply with federal open government law, citing the President's commitment to transparency. For more information, see EPIC Open Government and EPIC FOIA Litigation Manual 2008."

Attorney General proclaims right to Know Week in Prince Edward Island

Attorney General proclaims right to Know Week in Prince Edward Island: "“Through the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Islanders are provided with the right to access provincial government ...


See all stories on this topic"

THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT: FIRST STEPS TOWARDS RENEWAL Report ...

THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT: FIRST STEPS TOWARDS RENEWAL Report ...: "Report of the Standing Committee on. Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics. Paul Szabo, MP. Chair. JUNE 2009. 40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION ...
"

Canada on top when it comes to access to information laws says ...

Canada on top when it comes to access to information laws says ...: "By Kerry Benjoe, Leader-PostSeptember 28, 2009 10:49 REGINA — The sun shines brightly in Canada and the province's Privacy Commissioner Gary Dickson ...


See all stories on this topic"

PRUSAnet CAPAPA Celebrates Right to Know Day Across Canada

PRUSAnet CAPAPA Celebrates Right to Know Day Across Canada: "CAPAPA Celebrates Right to Know Day Across Canada, PDF · Print · Email ... of Toronto Dalhousie University Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia Memorial ...
"

Right to Know Week 2009 - Information Manager of the Day - Petula ...

Right to Know Week 2009 - Information Manager of the Day - Petula ...: "

Cayman Net News

Immigration holds a large number of records so it was of no surprise that they have logged the most Freedom of Information Law (FOI) requests to date. ...


See all stories on this topic"

Critics fear FOI staff cuts by B.C. government will add to delays

Critics fear FOI staff cuts by B.C. government will add to delays: "BC already considered to have one of worst records in Canada.
"

Open Government Promotes Economic Growth and Effective Development

Open Government Promotes Economic Growth and Effective Development: "It has long been shown that transparency of government decision-making is a ... speaking at a national workshop on freedom of information, Hon Fred Fono, ...
"

Exercise your right to know

Exercise your right to know: "Included at the forefront of these changes is the requirement for open-governance through Freedom of Information. This is also incidentally what we must use ...
"

Groups Renew Call for Passage of foi Bill

Groups Renew Call for Passage of foi Bill: "... Guild of Editors (NGE) and Right to Know Movement Initiative Nigeria (R2K Nigeria), have renewed the need to pass the Freedom of Information (foi) Bill. ...


See all stories on this topic"

Right to Know Day kicks off

Right to Know Day kicks off: "

Cay Compass

The Cayman Islands FOI Law is just nine months old, so it is vitally important to widely educate the public and promote the rights afforded under the law, ...


See all stories on this topic"

CIJ calls on governments to enact FOI law

CIJ calls on governments to enact FOI law: "The exposure of possible maladministration and corruption in a number of high profile cases in the last year alone makes the FOI law more urgent for ...


See all stories on this topic"

Transparency Directives Transform Privacy at DHS - HSToday

Transparency Directives Transform Privacy at DHS - HSToday: "

Transparency Directives Transform Privacy at DHS HSToday by Mickey mccarter New policies from the Obama administration have been changing the way that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enforces privacy ... SPOTLIGHT: DHS laptop airport searches rareFierceGovernmentIT all 4 news articles »

"

Use your right to probe government says info boss

Use your right to probe government says info boss: "Meanwhile, Natasha Bodden, a trained lawyer and former policy analyst has been named as the FOI unit's acting co-ordinator. The Information Commissioner's ...


See all stories on this topic"

Halifax council uses secret meetings for public business

Halifax council uses secret meetings for public business: "In fact, most other city councils in Canada and the US make such appointments in public meetings, as did the former cities of Dartmouth and Halifax. ...


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Few journalists make use of Access to Information Law

Few journalists make use of Access to Information Law: "Jordan's FOI law grants access to almost all types of information except those classified as "secret", as per the law on protecting state documents and ...


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Yale accused of violating open-records law

Yale accused of violating open-records law: "The union says Yale must release those documents under the Freedom of Information Act. But the University denied the request, saying the YPD is a private ...


See all stories on this topic"

BC Government Conceals Flathead Documents As World Heritage ...

BC Government Conceals Flathead Documents As World Heritage ...: "... could only be accessed through a Freedom of Information request. ... issued a report recommending that the BC government improve information access by ...
"

#Quote: No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets.

No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets.
  - Edward Abbey

Road Map for Financial Recovery: Radical Transparency Now!

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/17-03/wp_reboot
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Ledyard FOI request at impasse

Ledyard FOI request at impasse: "By Matt Collette Ledyard - The town and a paralegal working to prepare a civil lawsuit appear to be at an impasse over a request for information under the ...


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Chicago-Kent College of Law Establishes the “Center for Open ...

Chicago-Kent College of Law Establishes the “Center for Open ...: "Chicago-Kent College of Law this week established the Center for Open Government (COG) to help ensure transparency, accountability and responsibility in ...
"

Grits 'sanitized' access requests | Canada | News | Ottawa Sun

Grits 'sanitized' access requests | Canada | News | Ottawa Sun: ""Ontarians may very well have access to the FOI process as the premier likes to claim, but will he now acknowledge that the only information they will ever receive for as long as he is the premier here in this province is information ...



Ottawa Sun - News - http://www.ottawasun.com/news/"

Republic | Blog » Blog Archive » Royal FOI ban must be stopped

Republic | Blog » Blog Archive » Royal FOI ban must be stopped: "The complete exemption of the royal family from FOI legislation offers no benefit to the British people and seems solely intended to protect the royal family from any kind of scrutiny. The government has confirmed that the ban will be ...



Republic | Blog - http://www.republic.org.uk/blog/"

Halifax stink under provincial investigation

Halifax stink under provincial investigation: "The Nova Scotia Environment Department is investigating elevated levels of ... by CBC News through a request under freedom of information legislation. ...
"

Analysis: City Hall fails secrecy test

Analysis: City Hall fails secrecy test: "... I never worked in a jurisdiction that made such appointments in secret, and my media colleagues tell me it's not the norm in Canada, either. ...


See all stories on this topic"

CDT Testifies Before Congress on Use of Technology to Provide Transparency

CDT Testifies Before Congress on Use of Technology to Provide Transparency: "CDT Vice President Ari Schwartz is testifying this morning before the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on the role technology plays in helping provide transparency and accountability for government programs, such as TARP. The hearing is set to begin at 10 a.m. EST. To view a roster of speakers and find a link to a live webcast of the hearing, click this link: Hearing webcast."

City of Vancouver Launches Open Data Portal

City of Vancouver Launches Open Data Portal: "David Eaves reports that the City of Vancouver has launched its open data portal.
"

Are the media subject to PIPEDA?

Are the media subject to PIPEDA?: "

Is there one set of privacy rules for regular businesses and one for the media? In a past case summary, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (the “OPC”) found that a radio station which had broadcast the name and comments of a caller who had phoned the radio station’s news tips line to relay specific details of a robbery was not a violation of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Why wasn’t this a violation?

FULL ARTICLE: http://brianbowman.ca/2009/09/16/are-the-media-subject-to-pipeda/

BBC Wales bosses' costs published

BBC Wales bosses' costs published: "

BBC News

The salaries and expenses of some of BBC Wales' most senior managers have been made available following a freedom of information (FOI) request. ...


See all stories on this topic"

FOI Oklahoma: Open Government Pledge signers advance to general ...

FOI Oklahoma: Open Government Pledge signers advance to general ...: "Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide organization actively supporting those organizations and individuals working to open records or provide access to meetings illegally closed. FOI Oklahoma doesn't just believe in the right of ...



FOI Oklahoma - http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/"

FoI conclusive certificates | Australian Politics

FoI conclusive certificates | Australian Politics: "The House of Representatives has passed a Bill to remove the power to issue conclusive certificates in the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Archives Act.



Australian Politics - http://miceay.com/politics/"

'Secrecy culture' rules in Victoria

'Secrecy culture' rules in Victoria: "A culture of secrecy rules in Victoria's public service when it comes to releasing documents under Freedom of Information (FoI) laws, the state's Ombudsman ...


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Some OLG Sault spending appears to be 'unacceptable' — COMMENT - Sault Star

Some OLG Sault spending appears to be 'unacceptable' — COMMENT - Sault Star: "

Some OLG Sault spending appears to be 'unacceptable' — COMMENT Sault Star Earlier this month the provincial minister of finance, in response to a Freedom of Information request, released thousands of pages of expense documents ...

"

Ontario lottery board resigns due to spending scandal - Canada.com

Ontario lottery board resigns due to spending scandal - Canada.com: "

Globe and Mail

Ontario lottery board resigns due to spending scandal Canada.com ... pre-empting a request by the provincial Conservatives, who had filed a freedom of information request seeking documents related to expenses. ... Opposition parties to focus on stopping HST in fall session of Ont ...680 News all 134 news articles »

"

Parliament must require CRTC to serve public interest - Hill Times (subscription)

Parliament must require CRTC to serve public interest - Hill Times (subscription): "

Parliament must require CRTC to serve public interest Hill Times (subscription) ... how much Canadian content is on the radio, television or cable airwaves: you'll need an access to information request for statistics like that. ... and more »

"

FOI guide for journalists « Stewart Argo

FOI guide for journalists « Stewart Argo: "But the quality of FOI requests from journalists is pretty poor. It means that organisations have to waste time clarifying queries or writing to reject obvious no-hopers (I mean the queries not the enquirers!) And journalists, as well ...



Stewart Argo - http://stewartargo.wordpress.com/"

Landmark FOI cases to bring new era of scrutiny

Landmark FOI cases to bring new era of scrutiny: "FOI officers have often refused a request if a person cannot identify the document they want. But the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has agreed ...


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Montana Corrections Dept. argues privacy concern outweighs right ...

Montana Corrections Dept. argues privacy concern outweighs right ...: "Releasing documents surrounding the investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct of prison employees would violate the employees' privacy rights, a Montana Corrections Department lawyer told a judge Thursday."

Information act shows leaders why we need more openness

Information act shows leaders why we need more openness: "But two years on, FoI is here to stay, writes Investigations Correspondent David Gordon It looks like we made it. It really does look like Freedom of ...


See all stories on this topic"

N.L. privacy watchdog welcomes court challenge - CBC.ca

http://m.cbc.ca/site?sid=cbc&pid=Article.detail&mainSection=News&subSection=&region=newfoundland&heading=null&targetUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Fcanada%2Fnewfoundland-labrador%2Fstory%2F2009%2F09%2F10%2Fnl-ring-court-10909.html
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State: privacy of employees trumps records request

http://m.billingsgazette.com/mobile/article_ef6cc9be-9e47-11de-ad30-001cc4c03286.html
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Gov 2.0: Obama Team Details 'Open Government' Progress

Gov 2.0: Obama Team Details 'Open Government' Progress: "... soon-to-be-delivered Open Government Directive; "pro-transparency" guidelines issued by the Department of Justice that apply to Freedom of Information ...


See all stories on this topic"

Shape of things to come? - Southampton Uni slaps IP notice on FOI requests • The Register

Southampton Uni slaps IP notice on FOI requests • The Register: Secretive management at Southampton University are undermining the spirit of Freedom of Information FOI laws if not necessarily contravening the letter ...

The FOI Advocate: Two Different Approaches to Email Use During ...

The FOI Advocate: Two Different Approaches to Email Use During ...: "The official blog of the National Freedom of Information Coalition and the FOI ADVOCATE, in which we bring news of freedom of information developments far and wide... NFOIC is a coalition of state groups dedicated to open government, ...



The FOI Advocate - http://foiadvocate.blogspot.com/"

FOI battle goes to Texas high court : KOHM FM

FOI battle goes to Texas high court : KOHM FM: "FOI battle goes to Texas high court. September 10, 2009. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – A battle over public records and birth dates is going before the Texas Supreme Court. State comptroller Susan Combs says birth dates of state workers should ...



KOHM FM - http://kohm.org/news/"

The Coming of Government 2.0

The Coming of Government 2.0: "

It's amazing how much -- and how little -- we know about how government works. But the government is becoming more open, transparent and responsive, albeit slowly.

"

OTS refuses FoI request on strategic partner assessments

OTS refuses FoI request on strategic partner assessments: "

Charity Finance

In response to the FoI request, the OTS agreed to provide the funding amounts and memoranda of understanding for each of the partners, but refused to ...


See all stories on this topic"

Obama's Secrecy Record Is Mixed

Obama's Secrecy Record Is Mixed: "On his first full day in office, Obama issued a memo that directed agencies to administer the Freedom of Information Act with a clear presumption in favor ...


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US Government Slightly Less Secret

US Government Slightly Less Secret: "Among the issues discussed are: the Open Government Directive, Classified Information, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), signing statements, use of ...
"

OpenTheGovernment.org Issues New Secrecy Report Card

OpenTheGovernment.org Issues New Secrecy Report Card: "Included in these are: the open government directive, classification, the Freedom of Information Act, signing statements, and state secrets. ...
"

Be a student of open government

Be a student of open government: "But it was far too many violations for the public to feel good about government transparency. While gaining access to public records and meetings is a vital ...


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Malta moves on FOI Act implementation / News / Home - ePSIplus ...

Malta moves on FOI Act implementation / News / Home - ePSIplus ...: "Home / News / Malta moves on FOI Act implementation ... Malta moves on FOI Act implementation. Source: Malta paves the way for Freedom of Information Act 2008 to come into force August 2010 ...



ePSIplus RSS News Export - http://www.epsiplus.net/"

Public's right to know protected by AG's open-meetings defense

Public's right to know protected by AG's open-meetings defense: "Freedom of Information laws ensure transparency in government. Any public institution that isn't transparent also isn't trustworthy. ...


See all stories on this topic"

Information Commissioner's staff are mystery shoppers - Hawk Talk

Information Commissioner's staff are mystery shoppers - Hawk Talk: "One of the things I should have blogged about before the summer break was the discussion at launch of the Information Commissioner's Annual Report about “mystery FOI shoppers”. You should realise that ICO staff are already mystery FOI ...



Hawk Talk - http://amberhawk.typepad.com/amberhawk/"

EPIC - White House Announces New Transparency Policy for Visitor Logs

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fepic.org%2F2009%2F09%2Fwhite-house-announces-new-tran.html
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Freedom of information requests cost BBC GBP3m | Media | The Guardian

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Fmedia%2F2009%2Fsep%2F06%2Fbbc-freedom-information-act-requests
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UK Freedom of Information Blog: Using the FOI Act - courses for ...

UK Freedom of Information Blog: Using the FOI Act - courses for ...: "The Campaign for Freedom of Information is running two half-day courses for FOI requesters in central London on 20 October 2009. The morning course will provide an introduction to the legislation covering both the Freedom of Information ...



UK Freedom of Information Blog - http://foia.blogspot.com/"

Editorial: FOIA opens public business to all people

Editorial: FOIA opens public business to all people: "•In 2003, after 70 Hillside elementary school students were sent to the hospital, we filed a FOI request with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. ...


See all stories on this topic"

ICO publishes guidance on some exemptions from FOI requests – OUT ...

ICO publishes guidance on some exemptions from FOI requests – OUT ...: "“The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which oversees compliance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, has published guidance on what information local authorities can and cannot release.” ...



Current Awareness - http://innertemplelibrary.wordpress.com/"

Open and Shut: The public broadcaster and enthusiasm for FOI ...

Open and Shut: The public broadcaster and enthusiasm for FOI ...: "This blog takes an interest in all issues associated with Freedom of Information (FOI) and privacy legislation in Australia. It also includes comment about open transparent and accountable government and privacy issues generally drawing ...



Open and Shut - http://foi-privacy.blogspot.com/"

Old Cabinet papers 'to stay secret'

Old Cabinet papers 'to stay secret': "Premier Mike Rann has applied to access the documents under new FoI laws, which from next month will allow the release of Cabinet documents after 10 years. ...


See all stories on this topic"

FOI Oklahoma: FOI advocates chide OKC officials for not releasing ...

FOI Oklahoma: FOI advocates chide OKC officials for not releasing ...: "Founded in 1990, FOI Oklahoma is a statewide organization actively supporting those organizations and individuals working to open records or provide access to meetings illegally closed. FOI Oklahoma doesn't just believe in the right of ...



FOI Oklahoma - http://foioklahoma.blogspot.com/"