Access to Information Act - Annual Report to Parliament 2008-2009

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Mandate
• 2008-2009 Highlights and Accomplishment
• Access to Information and Privacy Unit
• 2008-2009 Statistical Report on the Access to Information Act
• Interpretation of the Statistical Report
• Complaints and Investigations
• Appeals to the Court
• Appendix A - Access to Information Policy
• Appendix B - WD Public Web Site Information
• Appendix C - WD ATIP Intranet Web Site

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Introduction

The Access to Information Act  (R.S. 1985, c. A-1) came into force on July 1, 1983.

The purpose of the Act is to extend the present laws of Canada to provide a right of access to information in records under the control of a government institution in accordance with the principles that government information should be available to the public, that necessary exceptions to the right of access should be limited and specific, and that decisions on the disclosure of government information should be reviewed independently of government.

The Act provides every person who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident with a right of access to any record under the control of a government institution, with some specific, limited exceptions.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is fully committed to both the spirit and the intent of the Access to Information Act to ensure openness and transparency within the department.  This report summarizes the activities of WD in implementing the Act, and fulfils the requirement under Section 72, which stipulates that, "The head of every government institution shall prepare for submission to Parliament an annual report on the administration of this Act within the institution during each financial year."

Additional copies of WD's Annual Report to Parliament may be obtained from:

Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Suite 1500, Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue N.W.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4H7