Jounalists Call On Nova Scotia Government To Be Open, Accountable

Premier Russell MacLellan's fuzzy pledge to look at the issue after the election suggests the Liberals do not consider improvements to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act a priority if his party wins at the polls.

"This is no example of a government committed to being fully open, honest and accountable with the voters," said Tom Arnold, the association's national president.

Added Dean Jobb, a Halifax journalist who chaired a 1996 advisory committee struck by the Liberals to review the Act: "The government has had two years to broaden the Act's coverage and improve accountability to the public. Nova Scotians deserve more than a vague promise of action after the election."

Following the election call, the CAJ wrote to the leaders of the province's three major political parties, asking for their positions on reforms to the legislation.

Two years have passed since the advisory committee recommended, among other things, more independence for the review officer, penalties for altering or destroying documents and extension of the Act to municipal governments, school boards, universities and colleges, hospitals, self-governing societies and about 250 agencies boards and commissions.

To date, only a handful of the 65 recommendations have been implemented.

In the Liberal Party's reply, leader Russell MacLellan gave a brief response, saying "My government recognizes this issue is a significant one."

He points out the government's appointment of a full-time coordinator of the Act, a position which had been previously vacant. However, despite being asked for the Liberal position on the advisory panel's many other recommendations, MacLellan would only say "following the election on March 24, the matter will be further reviewed by the Minister of Justice."

Responded Arnold: "This is not a matter that needs further review. It needs leadership and action, now."

"For instance, municipal governments, universities and school boards are subject to freedom of information laws in a majority of provinces," Arnold added. "Nova Scotia is out of step with the rest of the country when it comes to ensuring these bodies are accountable to the public."

Both Progressive Conservative leader John Hamm and New Democratic Party leader Robert Chisholm committed their parties to extending the Act to controversial private-public partnerships. Both parties submitted briefs to the advisory committee calling for improved public access to government records. The NDP would amend the Act to cover municipalities and other bodies identified by the advisory committee. The Conservatives, however, would strike an all-party committee to revisit the issue and recommend which bodies should be subject to the freedom of information law.

Hamm points out his party has twice introduced bills in the legislature aimed at improving the Act. The Liberal-dominated House defeated both.

CAJ President Arnold called the response of the Liberals "extremely disappointing," noting a host of events clearly underline the need for change.

Last summer, The Halifax Chronicle-Herald revealed that someone had altered the date on a cabinet memo dealing with a controversial decision to open Jim Campbell's Barren to mineral exploration. The RCMP is investigating.

As well, the inquiry into the fatal explosion at the Westray mine discovered that Claude White, the former director of mine safety, systematically rewrote minutes of meetings with mine officials to prevent release of embarrassing information.

Meanwhile, review officer Darce Fardy, a former CBC executive who investigates government refusals to release documents, has operated on a string of one-year appointments and cabinet was six months late with his reappointment in 1997. The committee has recommended a series of measures to ensure the independence of this crucial post.

The Canadian Association of Journalists is a national non-profit advocacy and professional development organization serving Canadian journalists from all media. Established in 1980, and counting more than 1,500 active members, the CAJ is run by a volunteer board of professional journalists and acts as a political advocate for members of the Canadian journalistic community.

For more information:
Tom Arnold, National President: Tel. 403-429-5455
Paul Schneidereit, CAJ Nova Scotia Representative, Tel. 902-426-1124
Robert Henderson, Executive Director: Tel. 613-526-8061