WINNIPEG: In a meeting this morning with the Hon. Diane McGifford, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, four groups pressed the government to ease up on the restrictive provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) without delay.

In a brief presented to the Minister by the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties (MARL), the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba (PCWM), the Manitoba Library Association and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, 25 amendments to the Act were recommended. The four groups are leading the charge to restore fairness, transparency and affordability to government information.

"Reforms to the information laws in 1997 increased restrictions on public access to information, placing Manitoba significantly behind other provinces," said Peter Sim, spokesperson for MARL. "Our recommendations restore balance between the public's right to know and the individual's right of privacy."

Highlights of the brief:

1. Public Opinion Polls: Expand scope of Act for public to gain access to public opinion polls.

2. Order Making Powers: Create the position of an Information and Privacy Commissioner to order disclosure of government information.

3. Public Interest Paramount: Introduce a public interest override of the restrictions made in the Act when an issue refers to a matter of public interest.

4. Access Fees: Restore search and preparation fees from $30 per hour to $15 per hour and introduce a provision to waive fees where requests for a record relate to a matter of public interest.

5. Extension of FIPPA: Delay proclamation of FIPPA for local bodies until amendments to the Act have been adopted.

"Citizens need fewer road blocks to government information to participate in a democracy in a meaningful way and to hold governments accountable," added Elizabeth Fleming, spokesperson for PCWM.