Longer waits under Manitoba information law - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

Manitoba’s handling of freedom of information requests has deteriorated significantly, marked by slower processing times and sharply increased costs for applicants. The rate of on-time completions has dropped considerably, falling below half of all requests, while total fees collected have tripled compared to the previous year. These delays are attributed to the recent centralization of request management under the Finance department, which, while aiming for efficiency in training and staffing, has initially disrupted workflow and standardization. The financial barrier to accessing government records has become a major concern, with fee estimates for complex cases reaching into the thousands of dollars. This shift results from a more rigorous application of existing charging structures after two hours of free processing time, rather than an increase in hourly rates. Experts warn that these higher costs disproportionately affect individuals without discretionary income, potentially discouraging public scrutiny and reducing the overall transparency of government operations. Consequently, the trend of decreasing requests continues, as the combination of wait times and expenses makes it harder for citizens and journalists to hold public bodies accountable. This situation is critically relevant to open_data principles, as it demonstrates how administrative practices and financial policies can inadvertently restrict public access to information. When the mechanisms for retrieving public records become overly expensive and time-consuming, the fundamental goal of transparency is undermined. For the open data movement, this highlights the importance of designing systems that minimize friction and cost, ensuring that data released by the government remains accessible, usable, and affordable for all members of society, not just those with significant resources or technical expertise.

Source: globalnews.ca
Published on 2025-10-20

Longer waits under Manitoba information law - Winnipeg | Globalnews.ca

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