MATIN report (61 KB)

MATIN's letter to the Hon. Eric Robinson

WINNIPEG: The Manitoba Library Association, Canadian Taxpayers Federation - Manitoba, Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba Inc. and the Manitoba Eco-Network collectively known as the Manitoba Access to Information Network (MATIN) today submitted a number of recommendations to the province's review of the Freedom of Information & Privacy Protection Act.

"Freedom of information is a fundamental democratic right which enhances timely access to substantive critical government information necessary for the full discussion of policy proposals and for holding governments to account for their actions, inaction and performance," stated MATIN spokesman Paul Nielson.

The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba has expressed support by requiring a statutory review of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act within three years of its coming into effect which is now overdue (required by May 4, 2002).

Nielson added, "MATIN is also petitioning the Legislative Assembly to act on the following:"

• Institute an all-party Legislative Committee to hold the public hearings for the FIPPA review and require the testimony of departments and agencies;
• Require the Government of Manitoba to prepare and provide access to information about FIPPA itemized above before proceeding with public hearings;
• Require the Government of Manitoba to do an independent and systematic investigation of the entire government information system;
• Require the Government of Manitoba to institute a full and independent performance audit of the Manitoba Ombudsman Access and Privacy Division; and
• Provide an interactive web site with full access to the necessary information to facilitate the FIPPA review.

"An information deficit is a democratic deficit and results in an unlevel playing field between the government and its citizens," concluded Nielson.