Freedom of information for all

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/12/2019 (2116 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The University of Winnipeg has launched a new centre that aims to educate the public on how they can hold governments accountable.

The Centre for Access to Information and Justice (CAIJ) opened its doors on Nov. 4 and will start a number of programs and projects in January 2020. They provide training to researchers, classes and community groups on how to obtain information from public entities, using things like The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act(FIPPA).

FIPPA allows residents to request documents from Manitoba public offices, such as the municipal and provincial governments, with some restrictions.

Dr. Kevin Walby, director for the CAIJ,  hopes to educate researchers and Winnipeggers on how anyone can use FIPPA requests.

“People don’t think it’s something they can use. They think only specialists like lawyers and journalists can use (FIPPA) request. In reality, anyone in Canada can make an access request, and should be empowered to do so,” Walby said.

Walby said there are a lot of common misconceptions around FIPPA requests, thinking that the request would cost a lot of money, or that it would automatically get denied. Walby said the centre will provide resources and guides for researchers on how to properly word FIPPA requests so they don’t get blocked or cost money.

The centre will also educate researchers and residents around accessing federal records through the Access to Information Act.

In Manitoba, there is no fee for applying to access records. Requests are allowed two free hours of research and preparation time, but if the request takes longer, the application might require a fee. The government must notify the applicant with a cost estimate before completing the request.
Walby said having access to information is important for democratic society.

“Access to information is access to justice. Without that information, it’s hard to imagine what justice might look like, whether that’s social justice, economic justice … Once you have the information, now you have the right information, and you can contemplate what justice will look like,” Walby said.

The CAIJ will also launch an academic publication, titled Study Up, in 2020. The peer-reviewed journal will feature “critical, investigative research using FOI requests to examine the state and corporate entities governing our lives,” according to the University of Winnipeg.

The CAIJ will also launch a yearly audit to investigate how different organizations handle FIPPA requests in Manitoba.

For more information, visit uwinnipeg.ca