April 23, 2013
Open Information Enhanced with Orders in Council and
Completed Access to
Information Requests Now Available Online
To provide greater access to Provincial Government documents, and to enhance routine disclosure of information to the public, Orders in Council and completed access to information requests are now available online retroactive to January 1, 2013.
“Proactive disclosure is a priority for our government, and we have a responsibility to ensure that our citizens have access to information and are well informed,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement. “The disclosure of Orders in Council and information requested through Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act reinforces our commitment to openness and transparency.”
Orders in Council will be posted online within two weeks after they are issued. Responses to general access requests will be published following a 72-hour period after the response is sent electronically to the applicant or in the case where the records are mailed to the applicant, five days. It is the goal to post the records to the website the next business day following the applicable period of time.
The online posting of completed access to information requests will only apply to general requests and not an individual’s request for their own personal information. In some cases information may be withheld, as specified by the provisions outlined under Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA) or where there are copyright considerations or ongoing/pending court cases. The Provincial Government is committed to posting as much information as possible within the parameters of the law.
Additional information is noted in the attached backgrounder.
“Today’s announcement builds on the progress that has been made in creating a more open and transparent environment for the benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Minister Hutchings. “It is incumbent upon us to make information that is of interest to the public more readily available, and we are committed to continue our efforts to do just that.”
Postings of completed access to information requests are available by visiting www.atipp.gov.nl.ca/info/completed/index.html. Orders in Council can be accessed by visiting www.exec-oic.gov.nl.ca/public/oic/search.
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Media contact:
Heather Maclean
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Orders in Council and Completed ATIPP Requests
An Order in Council is a directive issued by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of Cabinet authorizing certain actions, including implementing a policy decision; implementing an administrative decision beyond the sole authority of a minister; and, recording a Cabinet decision by providing a document for public use.
Information to be published relating to Orders in Council will include the Order number, the Order date, the department, the authority, and the text of the Order.
Orders in Council have always been available to the public, by request, through Cabinet Secretariat.
The ATIPPA applies to all public bodies (defined in the Act), including government departments, agencies, regional health authorities, school boards and municipalities.
The purpose of the ATIPPA is:
- To provide the public with the right of access to records; and
- To protect the privacy of individuals whose personal information is collected, used and disclosed by public bodies.
Information to be published relating to completed access to information requests will include a summary of the request received, request number, department that received the request, date the request is published, a copy of the final response letter to the applicant with all personal information removed, and a copy of the responsive records.
Online postings will only apply to requests sent to line departments, and not crown corporations and agencies.
The online posting will only apply to general access requests and not an individual’s request for their own personal information.
- General access requests occur when an individual or group makes a request for general information held by departmental;
- Personal information requests occur when an individual requests their own information that is held by a department.
The fee structure for requests related to ATIPPA will remain the same.
2013 04 23 1:05 p.m.