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PrintThe case for far less secrecy in Ottawa
Unnecessary secrecy fosters a 'culture of mediocrity' in the policy analyses done by government officials. Excessive secrecy inhibits the strongest form of learning—from our errors.
The federal government's information policy appears to have three main elements. First, the default position of the government is that all information related to the federal government is to be secret—except when it finds it beneficial to release information, or does so pursuant to the Access to Information Act of 1983. Second, access to information requests will be handled in a dilatory and cramped fashion so as to minimize disclosure. Redaction is strongly encouraged—as are high fees. Third, the government will centralize the release of information through the PMO for maximum partisan advantage. The PM and selected ministers will leak important information when it is deemed advantageous to do so. (See, for example, Steve Chase et al., The Globe and Mail, Jan. 26, 2009, regarding the last federal budget.)
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The case for far less secrecy in Ottawa
Unnecessary secrecy fosters a 'culture of mediocrity' in the policy analyses done by government officials. Excessive secrecy inhibits the strongest form of learning—from our errors.
The federal government's information policy appears to have three main elements. First, the default position of the government is that all information related to the federal government is to be secret—except when it finds it beneficial to release information, or does so pursuant to the Access to Information Act of 1983. Second, access to information requests will be handled in a dilatory and cramped fashion so as to minimize disclosure. Redaction is strongly encouraged—as are high fees. Third, the government will centralize the release of information through the PMO for maximum partisan advantage. The PM and selected ministers will leak important information when it is deemed advantageous to do so. (See, for example, Steve Chase et al., The Globe and Mail, Jan. 26, 2009, regarding the last federal budget.)
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