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Access to Information Review Task Force: Problematique
How to modernize access to federal government information in a way that promotes open, effective, accountable government, and an informed citizenry in a knowledge society, and is consistent with the public interest and personal privacy
I Background: the Governance Context
At a general level, the Task Force will review the governance issues relevant to public policy objectives of access to government information: strengthening accountability; fostering public participation; and ensuring Canadians benefit from public information as a national resource. The review will take into account new aspects of the role of government in serving the public, the policy development process and management of the knowledge of the government. The TaskForce will look at:
Citizens' Expectations - the relationship between the government and its citizens within our parliamentary democracy, as well as Canadians' values and expectations regarding access to government information.
Environment of Government - the environment in which the government and the public service operate, including awareness of ATI, attitudes and leadership, and ways to foster the principle of openness.
Information Management - current and future direction of information management in the government to determine how it can be used to make access under the ATI Act easier and more effective.
II Focussing : the ATI Framework
This comprehensive study of all aspects of the ATI framework will be completed in an overall governance context. The TaskForce will review:
Scope of the Access to Information Act - coverage of institutions and information, in light of changes in government structure and operations, advances in information technology, interpretations of the Act by the courts, and citizen expectations.
Access Process - all aspects of the process for handling access requests to better meet the needs of citizens, including ways to make the process easier, faster, and more effective and to encourage proactive dissemination of government information.
Complaints/Redress Process - structures, and disputes resolution and redress mechanisms to ensure effective and fair resolution of complaints and foster organizational learning.
