Canada's Culture of Secrecy - A Nationwide Audit

So far it's been a good weekend for news. The Canadian Newspaper Assocation has launched (and what I consider awesome) a nation-wide audit called "Canada's Culture of Secrecy" " the country's first-ever practical test of transparency that had 89 reporters and 45 newspapers across Canada" [The Hamilton Spectator, May 28 2005] attempt to get public information from all jusrisdictions of government from freedom of information requests.

It gives percentages of how each province faired (compliments of The Spec's graphics)

Alberta: got an 'A' with 93% of requests honoured (RH)
Manitoba: 'B' - 88% RH
Newfoundland: 'B' - 81% RH
British Columbia: 'C'- 71% RH
Ontario: 'C' - 71% RH
Quebec: 'D' - 50% RH
Saskatchewan: 'F' - 44% RH
Nova Scotia: 'F' - 32% RH
New Brunswick: 'F' - 25% RH
Federal Government: - 'F' - 25% RH [why is that not surprising?]
Prince Edward Island: 'F' - 0% RH (ok now this is just pathetic)

If ever I wanted to lavish affection on newspaper editors, this was the time. Reading this report was incredibly liberating and vindicating. Why? Because I have encountered problem after problem with getting basic government information not only by my own MPs or MPPs but also from bureaucrats from all levels of government and even private organizations who feel it's their right to take your information but not release it back to you.

And, not too long ago I complained to Inspector Buck of the Hamilton Police Services, Mountain Division that even those who are supposed to know privacy and access legislation, don't. With a typical skepticism of an officer that may have had his own detachment compromised by what may be illegal conduct, he was dismissive.

Now I have the credibility of this report that confirms it is a nation-wide, systemic problem and not just some sensitive notion.

What makes this report sweet also turns the opposite to sourness. I have found getting my own personal information from various organizations in Hamilton itself dubious and if not in some Kafkaesque way, frightening. This is why I call my newly adopted city 'Planet Hamilton'.

While my personal information is in the process of being withheld after several requests from various organizations, some of that same information (personal health information to be exact) was given out surreptitiously, without consent to outside organizations.

Yes, not getting consent to collect or disclose personal health information is illegal and in one instance in my short experience of living in Hamilton, appears to be in contempt of a court decision.

The Ontario Privacy Commission is investigating on my behalf, four physicians, two registered nurses and two management officials at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton for violations in the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004.

These are serious offenses, in which all of the above could face misconduct charges under the rules of their respective Colleges, to be fined a large sum of money on top of getting sued in a civil action.

While our government officials, "protectors of the law" keep secrets from us, they have no problem violating the rights of their citizens by not upholding the laws written to protect us. I base corruption on clauses such as 'disobeying a statute' in s. 126 of the Criminal Code of Canada or plain ignoring provincial legislation, all legislation not just freedom of information legislation. Because of numerous experiences with the above, I have sensed for a long time that corruption had seeped in the ranks of government bureaucracy. Now I have an audit that proves it.

Many other citizens I have spoken to about our government officials not following legislation have written off the government as corrupt a long time ago but dismiss their responsibility to do something about it because they feel they can't do anything about it so don't try.

Well done C.N.A. and thank you for bringing democratic rights back into our minds to think about our role in preserving it.