Freedom of information: have we gone too far?
Article Abstract:
Relatively few requests for access to Canadian federal government information have been made under provisions of the Access to Information Act since it went into effect in 1983: about 900 per calendar quarter in recent years. The openness of the Canadian parliamentary system and public apathy or lack of awareness are identified as possible factors behind the small number of applications and complaints. Those who have sought information access under the act have included: individuals with grievances against government rulings, attorneys, academics, organizations seeking supportive information, and parliamentary representatives seeking an alternative route to obtain documents. It is suggested that the act is useful because it gives the right to apply for government file information and because access is an important democratic safeguard. It is also suggested that it would be unwise to have access which is so open that it might interfere with effective government operations.
Publication Name: Canadian Public Administration
Subject: Government
ISSN: 0008-4840
Year: 1986
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Mixed service delivery: a private sector perspective
Article Abstract:
A wide variety of public sector programs can be improved through use of mixed delivery systems, especially when bureaucracy has become excessive. Three symptoms of swollen bureaucracy are: (1) over-centralized decision-making, (2) too many staff layers constraining management discretion, and (3) overly-diffuse responsibility. The remedy is to assign program delivery to competing private sector actors, while keeping authority over service quality and policy. The resulting system will be more flexible, excessive management layers will be reduced, bureaucratic drag and second-guessing will decrease; and private sector competition will increase. The British Columbia forest licensing system and Canada's federal bankruptcy system are presented as effective examples of mixed service delivery mechanisms.
Publication Name: Canadian Public Administration
Subject: Government
ISSN: 0008-4840
Year: 1986
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The federal Information Coordinator as meat in the sandwich
Article Abstract:
The Access to Information Act gives Canadians the right to access federal government records, subject to certain exclusions and exceptions. It is the responsibility of the Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator to locate requested records and review them to see if they are subject to exemption under the Act. Personal information, military and international affairs documents, and records received in confidence from provincial or foreign governments are typical of the kinds of information which are not to be disclosed. The position of the coordinator in the Canadian government hierarchy is described.
Publication Name: Canadian Public Administration
Subject: Government
ISSN: 0008-4840
Year: 1986
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