This morning, I joined the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) to “celebrate” the seventh anniversary of their filing of a Freedom of Information request to get a copy of a 10-year, $300-million contract between the BC Government and IBM.

The government has fought FIPA tooth and nail, refusing to release this contract to the taxpayers picking up the tab. This despite a ruling from the Freedom and Privacy Commissioner, and a court decision (the government is appealing). FIPA’s full press release can be found here. 

Here’s what I said at the news conference:

Thank you, Vincent, and the Freedom of Information and Privacy Association for including us. You have been long time advocates in the fight for taxpayers’ right to know, and we thank you for those efforts.

Seven years ago, when this FOI request was first filed, it was a very different world:

•    The NHL was locked out
•    The Canadian dollar had broken 80 cents US for the first time since 1993
•    Casey Printers was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player
•    President George W. Bush made his first-ever visit to Canada to talk with Prime Minister Paul Martin
•    The BC Liberals held 76 seats in the Legislature

Very different, indeed. Sadly, one thing that hasn’t changed is Government’s reluctance to open its doors to the taxpayers whose money they spend.

There should be no need for a Freedom of Information “request” for a signed contract. Taxpayers should never have to “request” anything like this from their government. We have a right to this information. After all, we paid for it.  

I’m a big believer in open data, accountable government, and political transparency. Open data plans should be built on proactively releasing contracts, documents, briefing notes, and other materials as quickly as possible. The days of government treating taxpayers like mushrooms—you know, keeping us in the dark, covered in fertilizer—must come to an end.

And it should start with this IBM contract being released, in its entirety, today. The Commissioner has ordered it, and now it’s time for Premier Clark to make it happen.

Thank you.