News Release: Right to Know Week

Fri, Sep 29, 2017

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Information and Privacy Commissioner pleased with government’s Right to Know initiative

Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod-McKay says the Yukon government’s decision to post access to information requests online is a move in the right direction.

Yesterday, the government issued a news release, coinciding with Right to Know Week, announcing an initiative relating to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP Act). Starting immediately, the government’s ATIPP Office will post summaries of completed access to information requests related to government programming on a monthly basis, but will keep applicants’ names confidential.

"I commend the Yukon government on this announcement," said McLeod-McKay. "I have seen this type of initiative at work in other parts of the country, and it is a worthwhile first step toward additional government transparency. I hope to see further steps taken in the future to make more information accessible to the public without having to go through the ATIPP Act process."

As part of her work during Right to Know Week, McLeod-McKay made comments in a letter to the editor to be published in Yukon newspapers on Friday September 29th, summarizing some of the challenges that new technologies present to access to information laws. She noted that there is an opportunity to create solutions for these issues during the current ATIPP Act review.

"The ATIPP Act is outdated. That much is certain," said McLeod-McKay. "The legislation needs to be updated to address the digital information age, so that access to information rights are preserved or strengthened. We need to ensure that any changes to Yukon’s ATIPP Act will support innovation while also ensuring there are adequate protections in place to protect access to information rights."

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McLeod-McKay made recommendations to the Yukon government, as part of the ATIPP Act review, which address the challenges associated with the government’s ubiquitous use of technology to conduct business and deliver services, and the risks this poses to access to information rights. Her full comments can be found in a document called "ATIPP Act 2015 Review" in the Information and Privacy Commissioner section of the website, under Work We’ve Done/Legislation.

The Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner is an independent officer of the Yukon Legislative Assembly. For more information, please go to www.ombudsman.yk.ca.

Contact:

Elaine Schiman

elaineschiman@icloud.com

867-334-2975