Minister Invites Citizens to go Online and Review Information

The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, is encouraging people to review documents released by the Provincial Government, as well as the amendments made to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA). While the importance of the public’s right to access information is being highlighted during Right to Know Week (September 23-28), Minister Hutchings says in the past year government has been actively disclosing key records online.

“Despite continued criticism of amendments to the act, the fact is more information is now being provided to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians than by any government before us,” said Minister Hutchings. “Amendments made to ATIPPA last year continue to ensure that we are sharing as much information as possible while balancing the need to protect certain sensitive information such as personal information and third party business information.”

Since the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced the creation of the Office of Public Engagement last October, government has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at increasing access to information. So far this year more than 200 requests for general information have been responded to by government departments and posted online. Orders in Council and government documents proactively disclosed can also be viewed online at www.gov.nl.ca/exec/cabinet/oic/index.html .  A chart outlining the amendments made to the legislation has been added to the Office of Public engagement website and can be found at:   www.atipp.gov.nl.ca/info/schedule.html . 

Since amendments were made to the legislation in June 2012, government is receiving and responding to more requests for information, and there have been no significant differences in the amount of information disclosed. In the 12 months previous to Bill 29, government responded to 585 requests, compared to 659 requests in the 12 months following the amendments. “This legislation has two main purposes – to provide access to information while protecting key types of information such as cabinet confidences, business information, policy advice, and personal information,” said Minister Hutchings. “The protection of these types of information existed before Bill 29 and are also protected in all provinces to varying degrees.”

Minister Hutchings has met with Ed Ring, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, on several occasions this year. “We appreciate the feedback we receive from the commissioner and we have made significant progress in addressing some of the issues raised by Mr. Ring,” said Minister Hutchings. “For example, there were concerns about timelines not being met for responses to access requests, and we acted. Timelines to responses have significantly improved. In January of this year, timelines for responses to requests were met 50 per cent of the time. In August that number increased to 97 per cent. We will work hard to ensure deadlines are met.”

The legislation continues to evolve and there is a mandated review process every five years. The next review will occur in 2015. “In addition, we welcome input from citizens and I invite people to direct questions and comments to our Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Office,” said the Minister. “The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is an independent body and is available to citizens should they have questions and concerns.”

People can contact the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Office at atippoffice@gov.nl.ca and view information released to the public through the Office of Public Engagement website at. www.ope.gov.nl.ca/ .

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Media contact:
Kristina George
Communications Manager
Office of Public Engagement
709-729-1221, 687-9081
kristinageorge@gov.nl.ca 

2013 09 27                                     2:20 p.m.