Executive Council
September 22, 2014
Open and Accountable
Provincial Government Recognizes Right to Know Week: September 22-28
The Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, today acknowledged September 22–28 as Right to Know Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. Right to Know Week, celebrated internationally, is designed to raise awareness about people’s right to access government information while promoting freedom of information as essential to both democracy and good governance.
“Since the creation of the Office of Public Engagement in 2012, government has posted over 100 documents proactively online. The Provincial Government’s plan is to release more information to the public even before it is requested. Using this approach, we are encouraging government departments and agencies to disclose information as a routine way of doing business through our Open Government Initiative.”
- The Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement
Building on the Provincial Government’s focus on proactive disclosure, departments will post various documents and information online throughout Right to Know Week. Information to be made available includes advice documents from the Regional Councils of the Rural Secretariat, a list of intergovernmental agreements signed in 2013-14, and court statistics from the Office of the High Sheriff.
“The Provincial Government is determined to improve the ways residents access information, while at the same time protecting personal and private information. By celebrating Right to Know Week, we want the people of the province to know that it is a priority for government to provide a wide selection of useful and meaningful information, which we will be highlighting over the next few days.”
- Minister Collins
For a listing of proactive disclosures, and for further information about how the Provincial Government is involving and connecting with residents through the Open Government Initiative, visit www.open.gov.nl.ca.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government is recognizing Right to Know Week: September 22-28.
- Right to Know Week is designed to raise awareness about people’s right to access government information while promoting freedom of information as essential to both democracy and good governance.
- Beginning today, Provincial Government departments will be posting various documents and information online throughout Right to Know Week, building on government’s focus on proactive disclosure.
- Documents to be released this week include advice documents from the Regional Councils of the Rural Secretariat, a list of intergovernmental agreements signed in 2013-14, and court statistics from the Office of the High Sheriff.
- To learn more about Right to Know Week, follow Twitter, @OPE_GovNL.
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Media contact:
Kip Bonnell
Communications Manager
Office of Public Engagement
709-729-1221, 687-9081
kbonnell@gov.nl.ca
2014 09 22 4:20 p.m.