The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has a threefold mandate: lower taxes, less waste and accountable government. Of the three, it's accountable government that has take centre stage in recent years. And at the heart of accountable government is information and access to government records.

The CTF is proud to be a leading participant and sponsor of the national "Right to Know Week." During this last week of September campaigns and activities across the country will highlight the importance of access to information laws. The spirit and intent of these laws is to provide citizens with the same access to information as their governments. Citizens and taxpayers have a right to know what their government is doing with their dollars and how government programs and services are being managed. Information belongs to citizens, not their government.

Federal and provincial governments each have their own version of access laws. Here in British Columbia, the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) sets out the parameters for disclosure of government documents and information. As Opposition Leader in 1998 Gordon Campbell recognized the importance of access to information by endorsing the "Campaign for Open Government." Mr. Campbell proclaimed that, "citizens must have timely, effective and affordable access to the documents which governments make and keep." To that end, Mr. Campbell promised in 2001 to be "the most, open, accountable and democratic government in Canada."

To their credit, the BC Liberals have instituted a number of democratic reforms, such as fixed election dates and electoral reform. However, when it comes to accessing information, Mr. Campbell's government has increasingly turned the tap off. Amendments to the FOI Act to extend response times for requests, increased search fees and cuts to the Information Commissioner's budget have served to hamper public scrutiny and access to government.

Perhaps most egregious is this government's failure to implement changes to the FOI Act that were recommended by a special, all-party committee. In recognition of changing technologies and government duties, the FOI Act itself requires an all-party committee review its provisions and make recommendations for changes to the government. In 2004, the special committee issued its report which has since been collecting dust. The Campbell government has failed to act or implement any of the committee recommendations.

In recognition of the "Right to Know Week" here in British Columbia, several groups, advocates and media are re-launching the Campaign for Open Government. The prime objective of this campaign is the adoption and implementation of the special committee's report of the FOI Act. Second, the current "culture of denial" in government must be changed. As noted by Premier Campbell himself while he was in Opposition, "the fundamental principle must be this: government information belongs to the people, not to government."

In that spirit, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), together with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Association and the School of Journalism at the University of British Columbia are hosting the BC Information Summit. The Summit is bringing together various groups who all share an interest in open government and will begin with opening remarks from the new minister responsible for the FOI Act, the honorable Olga Illich. Hopefully, this is the Campbell's government's first step to fulfilling is promise to be the most open government in Canada.