Ross McLaren - Municipal - District 14 Connaught - Quinpool

From:
Ross McLaren

To:
Darce Fardy

Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 9:30 AM

Subject: Re: Right to Know - Ross McLaren response

Darce

If elected, I will support measures to make government more accountable and transparent. I believe that we need to encourage a culture of openness in government while protecting the privacy of individuals.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation is an important piece of the democratic puzzle.

Ross McLaren

For Councillor, District 14, Connaught - Quinpool

mailto:voterossmclaren@gmail.com

http://voterossmclaren.ca/

Glenn Dodge - Municipal - District 14 - Connaught - Quinpool

From: Glenn Dodge

To: Darce Fardy

Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 5:36 PM

Subject: Re: Right to Know Coalition questions

Darce, I agree completely with your organizations desire to make our City Council more open and accountable …

Glenn Dodge
444-4544 (headquarters)
mailto:info@glenndodge.ca

Katie Campbell - Municipal - District 14 Connaught - Quinpool

From: katie HRM

To: Darce Fardy

Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:07 AM

Subject: Re: Right to Know

Dear Mr. Fardy,

I have worked in technology, with particular focus on access to information - coming and going. I believe that individuals have the right to expect privacy, no question. I also believe that citizens have the right to access information from their government, with very, very, few exceptions. No question.

The only way to come to an understanding of where we are, as a individual, neighbourhood, city, country, is by having access to true, relevant and current information.

Anything less is a betrayal of our system and ourselves.

Regards,

Katie Campbell

website - http://katieforcouncillor.blogspot.com/

cell - 219-0866

Andrea Hilchie-Pye - District 14 Connaught - Quinpool

Monday, September 15, 2008

Subject: Candidates and FOI

Good Evening Darce:

Thank-you so much for sharing your op-ed and the web site . Thank you for championing The Right To Know.

One of my values is being transparent and I strongly feel government should not expend its energy on preventing people from having access to information and instead educate the public about how to analyze information and ask questions.

If we as elected officials remain true to our values even if people may disagree, why do we need to hide our positions or actions. I do understand there are times when information cannot be shared (when it does harm to people – ie when a family's name is protected from publication to protect a child who is testifying in a sexual assault case) but the public understands this sensitivity.

Elected officials are human and are prone to making mistakes. Being open about these mistakes and addressing our actions to resolve them is better than trying to cover them up.

I feel it is important to active people in the electoral process. As I have been campaigning I have suggested to undecided voters to look at all of our pamphlets and choose question(s)to pose to all of us. This way our answers allow people to make an informed and unbiased decision.

I look forward to continued discussions with you on this issue.

Have a wonderful evening.

Sincerely,
Andrea

http://andrea4thepeople.com/

Jennifer Watts - District 14 Connaught - Quinpool

From: Jennifer Watts

Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 1:49 PM

Subject: RE: Right to Know

Thanks, Darce, for the information and the link to your website. It is good to know that a group exists to pursue this issue in our society and to provide background material and information on this important component of democracy.

I have heard concerns about accessing information from one group in particular – the ability of environmental groups to get necessary information through the freedom of Information act and the deadline for submitting an appeal to the provincial government – both with 30 day windows. Very difficult for community groups to find information in a timely manner and meet this deadline. As well, many people are upset with the process that took place with the Commonwealth Games.

I look forward to hearing from you again – I fully support transparency in public decision making and welcome the challenge of groups such as Right to Know to be accountable to this openness in our decision-making process.

It was good to meet you as well on the doorstep.

Thanks again for taking the time to send this to me.

Jennifer

http://www.jenniferwattshalifax.ca/