How Free is Canada's Information System? | The Agenda

What governments know about each of us, what they do with that data, and how they make decisions based on it, is supposed to be available to its citizens. It's a fundamental principle of democratic accountability. But, as a recent series in The Globe and Mail demonstrated, that's not quite how it works. The series is called "Secret Canada" (www.secretcanada.com), and it raises many questions about how freedom of information works in this country.
For more insight, we welcome:
Brooks Fallis, Critical Care & Internal Medicine Physician ( / brooksfallis )
Patricia Kosseim ( / ipcinfoprivacy , Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (www.ipc.on.ca/)
Robyn Doolittle (www.theglobeandmail.com/autho..., Investigative Reporter with The Globe and Mail ( / robyndoolittle )
Tom Cardoso (www.theglobeandmail.com/autho..., Investigative Reporter with The Globe and Mail ( / tom_cardoso )
This episode of The Agenda (www.tvo.org/theagenda) was hosted by Steve Paikin ( / spaikin ) and was produced by Meredith Martin ( / meredithmartin )
00:00 Intro
01:02 Brooks Fallis story
04:42 What was the FOI process like?
05:57 Robyn reacts
07:00 Who uses the FOI system?
10:32 What did you hope to find out?
12:02 Most people have no idea what the freedom of information system is
13:40 Are you breaking the law?
14:29 Embarrassment redaction
15:27 Do bureaucrats put sand in the gears on purpose?
17:44 Poor information management practices
21:41 Minister’s office interference
22:45 Why should the public care?
28:12 How do you engage the public?
30:23 Is anyone doing it right?
32:12 SecretCanada.com
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