September 24-28th, 2012 is Right to Know (RTK) Week in Canada. This is an annual event to promote freedom of information as essential to both democracy and good governance.
Information and Privacy Commissioner Jill Clayton will be hosting two full-day RTK forums: one in Calgary on September 25th and one in Edmonton on September 27th. The forums entitled “Openness and Transparency – From Concept to Reality” will showcase some initiatives undertaken in Alberta to make information more accessible to the public. Commissioner Clayton says “The purpose of these forums is to share the challenges and lessons learned from existing initiatives in the hopes of encouraging and assisting the development and implementation of more projects of this nature”. Information regarding the forums is available on the Commissioner’s website www.oipc.ab.ca. The Edmonton forum is fully booked; however, some seats are still available for the Calgary forum. Citizens that would like to attend the Calgary session are invited to email RTK2012.calgary@oipc.ab.ca
Commissioner Clayton is pleased that the Honourable Manmeet Bhullar, Minister of Service Alberta will be speaking at the Calgary forum and the Honourable Donald Scott, Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation will be speaking at the Edmonton forum.
The Commissioner also appreciates that Mayor Naheed Nenshi has proclaimed September 24-28th as Right to Know Week for the City of Calgary and that Mayor Stephen Mandel has proclaimed September 27th as Right to Know Day in the City of Edmonton.
“Leadership support is essential in developing a culture of openness and transparency” says Commissioner Clayton.