Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release

St. John's, NL (January 5, 2021) – MHA for Harbour Main and Critic for the Department of Justice Helen Conway-Ottenheimer says a recent submission to the ATIPPA 2015 review panel would make accessing public information more expensive and take longer to be disclosed.

A recently submission from executive council, including Premier Andrew Furey’s office, asks Justice David Osborne’s review of the Access to Information and Privacy Protection Act 2015 to consider re-introducing fees that were abolished five years ago and to allow public bodies to delay responding to access to information requests without consulting the experts.

In a June 27 article in the Telegram, Furey stated a commitment to more openness and transparency through access to information:

“… I’m committed to ensuring it’s the most open and transparent process available. It’s a bit of a cultural shift occurring and it’s going to take time and I recognize that. People can expect an open, transparent, and just government from me.” – The Telegram, June 26

Conway-Ottenheimer says the proposed changes are a step backward for transparency. She says the recommendations are another example of doubletalk from the Liberal government.

“The Premier wants to move backwards on government transparency after telling the public to expect more transparency and accountability from his government. He wants decisions made behind closed doors to remain hidden from public view,” said Conway-Ottenheimer.

“How can we trust the Premier and this Liberal government to make decisions about jobs, the economy, and your healthcare, if they don’t want to share that information with you?”
 

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(p) 1.709.725.0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca

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