University of Chicago Press Brokering Access: Power, Politics, and Freedom of Information Process in Canada

Access to information (ATI) is widely regarded as a fundamental democratic right. Yet in Canada there still exists a struggle between the public’s quest for accountability and our government’s culture of secrecy. Drawing together the perspectives of social scientists, journalists, and ATI advocates, Brokering Access explores the policies and practices surrounding access to information at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. This groundbreaking volume is the first of its kind to promote the idea that ATI should be used as a critical research strategy. It is a vital resource for scholars, policy makers, journalists, and anyone who is concerned about access to information and its effect on all Canadians. Review An important and valuable volume, "Brokering Access" should be read not only by academics, journalists, and activists, but also by political and bureaucratic actors who are entrusted with interpreting and applying the access laws at the national and provincial level. - Paul G. Thomas, professor emeritus, University of Manitoba When freedom of information can be obstructed under false claims of national security, we all need to ask ourselves, how does this reflect upon the nature of our democracy? It is frustrating that books like this one still need to be published. But the fact that they are being published, and they are being read - and I would strongly encourage all Canadians to read this one - is a good sign. - Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner for the Province of Ontario Review When freedom of information can be obstructed under false claims of national security, we all need to ask ourselves, how does this reflect upon the nature of our democracy? It is frustrating that books like this one still need to be published. But the fact that they are being published, and they are being read – and I would strongly encourage all Canadians to read this one – is a good sign. Author: Ann Cavoukian, Information and Privacy Commissioner for the Province of Ontario Book Description A provocative, multi-perspective exploration of a basic democratic right – access to information – and how it plays out at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. From the Author Mike Larsen is an instructor in the Criminology Department of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Kevin Walby is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Victoria. Contributors: Reem Bahdi, Jim Bronskill, Ann Cavoukian, Tia Dafnos, Willem de Lint, Gary Dickson, Yavar Hameed, Steve Hewitt, Sean P. Hier, Suzanne Legault, David McKie, Jeffrey Monaghan, Justin Piché, Jim Rankin, Ann Rees, Fred Vallance-Jones, and Matthew G. Yeager From the Inside Flap Access to information (ATI) is widely regarded as a fundamentaldemocratic right. Yet in Canada there still exists a struggle betweenthe public's quest for accountability and our government'sculture of secrecy. Drawing together the perspectives of socialscientists, journalists, and ATI advocates, Brokering Accessexplores the policies and practices surrounding access to informationat the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. This groundbreakingvolume is the first of its kind to promote the idea that ATI should beused as a critical research strategy. It is a vital resource forscholars, policy makers, journalists, and anyone who is concerned aboutaccess to information and its effect on all Canadians. From the Back Cover Access to information (ATI) is widely regarded as a fundamentaldemocratic right. Yet in Canada there still exists a struggle betweenthe public's quest for accountability and our government'sculture of secrecy. Drawing together the perspectives of socialscientists, journalists, and ATI advocates, Brokering Accessexplores the policies and practices surrounding access to informationat the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. This groundbreakingvolume is the fir