On May 6, 2009, the CTF filed a freedom of information request with Manitoba's provincial department of family services.

The information request asked for details on the costs associated with the Anishinaabe child care agency's staff retreat to the United States. You see, in April 2009, it was reported that a Manitoba family was unable to get assistance from the government funded agency as staff were away at a conference in Reno, Nevada.

During conversations with the department back in June, we were told the response was 'just about ready'. However, as of November 4, 2009, the CTF has only received a file number from the department.

According to Manitoba's Freedom of Information Act, the department is required to respond within 30 days - and usually the department is pretty good about responding in an orderly manner to CTF requests. However, 150+ days later, we're still waiting. for a response.

What could be so secret? Is a benign response in the works? Or are the suggestions that thousands of dollars were wasted true? Hopefully it won't take another 150 days to find out.