Is the business of public officials any of the public's business? Most Canadians would argue that it is - that we citizens are entitled to enquire and get answers about our government's actions. Yet, on a practical level, there still exists a struggle between the public's quest for accountability and the government's culture of secrecy.

Drawing together the unique perspectives of social scientists, journalists, and access to information (ATI) advocates, Brokering Access explores the history of ATI law and supplies multiple examples of its contemporary application at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. From restrictions to access of airport security data post-9/11 to censorship under the Access to Information Act to the difficulties of obtaining details on streetscape video surveillance, this book reveals the legal and bureaucratic obstacles citizens face when trying to access government information.

A provocative, multi-perspective exploration of a basic democratic right - access to information - and how it plays out at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

About the Author

Mike Larsen is an instructor in the Criminology Department of Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Kevin Walby is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Victoria.

Contributors: Reem Bahdi, Jim Bronskill, Ann Cavoukian, Tia Dafnos, Willem de Lint, Gary Dickson, Yavar Hameed, Steve Hewitt, Sean P. Hier, Suzanne Legault, David McKie, Jeffrey Monaghan, Justin Piche, Jim Rankin, Ann Rees, Fred Vallance-Jones, and Matthew G. Yeager

Book Information
ISBN 9780774823227
Author Mike Larsen
Format Hardback
Page Count 400
Imprint University of British Columbia Press
Publisher University of British Columbia Press
Weight(grams) 720g