Cameron Ells - Municipal - District 12 Downtown Halifax

From: <halifax@excells.ca>

To: "Darce Fardy" <darce@eastlink.ca>

Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 9:05 PM
Subject: Halifax ExCELLS (Cameron Ells): Right to Know

Darce Fardy,

Thank you for your email of September 18, 2008 on behalf of the Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia.

I have made successful use of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act with respect to information associated with the provincial level of government. Until your email, I had not considered its potential application to information associated with the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). Since receiving your email, I have also looked at Section 20 of the Municipal Government Act, and appreciated the opportunity to clarify some of your interests and concerns in a telephone conversation.

The scope of application appears to be very broad and include municipal committees, community committees or citizen advisory committees, planning advisory committees, and in the case of HRM, community councils. Section 481 regarding information provided to HRM from third parties such as the private sector answered some of the questions I raised with you.

I am not sure, but there may be some ambiguity with respect to the status of "draft information" or "part of the process" communications versus the final version of documents being released to the public. For practical considerations, I think it is desirable during a process for an atmosphere to exist where HRM staff can provide their opinions internally in confidence. As Councillor, I would be happy to provide support with respect to the release of final versions of documents, but not early draft versions or supporting communications. As Councillor, I would be happy to provide support with respect to seeking from HRM staff a statement on the reasons for a particular decision, but not to make public a copy each and every email exchanged during the development of an HRM document. As Councillor, I would be happy to support efforts at asking "the right question" to "the right person."

As Councillor, I would welcome suggestions from your members regarding the human, material, and financial resources available to the applicable HRM "Responsible Officer" for FOIPOP purposes. I believe in the general long term usefulness to our community of open and accountable government, and in the general merits of Freedom of Information legislation. I also believe that a reasonable fee for FOIPOP responses, prioritizes the use of "Responsible Officer" resources in a useful way (ie. Placing a cost on "fishing expeditions").

- Cameron Ells
HRM Regional COuncil Candidate for Downtown Halifax (District 12)

Halifax ExCELLS
with Cameron Ells

halifax@excells.ca

http://www.excells.ca/

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/

Beverly Miller - Municipal - District 13 Northwest Arm - South End

From: "beverly miller" <hfxpeninsula@hotmail.com>

To: "Darce Fardy" <darce@eastlink.ca>

Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 10:09 AM

Subject: RE: Replies on website

Thanks Darce for clarifying this.

I think that access to information is essential. As a long-time community activist I appreciate how important is is to be able to et information. As a Councillor, there is no doubt that I will do whatever I can to ensure that people have access to the information they need, and not have to pay more than a token amount for it.

Beverly Miller
mailto:hfxpeninsula@hotmail.com

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

Stephen Adams - Municipal - District 18 - Spryfield - Herring Cove - Incumbent

From: "Adams, Stephen" <adams.sd@pg.com>

To: "Darce Fardy" <darce@eastlink.ca>

Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:39 PM

Subject: RE: RE:

Darce:

My position is simple. Any information should be made available, unless it is of a personal nature or may be a security breach. And, those seeking it shouldn't be made to be precise in what they are requesting. Intent should be the determining factor.

Stephen

mailto:adams.sd@pg.com

http://www.halifax.ca/districts/dist18/dist18.html

Deborah Brunt - Municipal - District 23 Hammonds Plains - St. Margarets

From: Deb Brunt

To: Darce Fardy

Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 2:17 PM

Subject: Re:

Mr. Fardy;

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy legislation is the law and I commit myself to following it just as I do any Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws and I expect Council as a whole or separate to do the same.

Deborah Brunt
HRM Council Candidate - District 23
www.dbrunt.ca

Vote Online October 4th, 5th or 6th
Vote at the Advanced Polls October 11th or 14th
or the Regular Polls October 18th

John Stoddard - Municipal - District 22 Timberlea - Prospect

From: The Stoddards

To: Darce Fardy

Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 10:53 PM

Subject: Re: Replies on website

Hi Mr. Fardy,

... I am against the secrecy and I am all for a more open and accountable council. I want nothing less than to restore the people's faith in democracy. I want to change the very culture of city hall. When you have secrecy, it gains power over the very people who created it. I thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

John Stoddard.

mailto:dunsweet@eastlink.ca

Barry Dalrymple - Municipal - District 2 Waverley - Fall River - Beaver Bank

From: <barry@barrydal.com>

To: "Darce Fardy" <darce@eastlink.ca>

Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 9:35 AM

Subject: Re:

Good morning Darce - thank you for the opportunity to give you my

position on this very important part of government. I will keep this very

short but let me say that I am disgusted with the amount of secrecy I have

seen in the running of HRM Council in the past few years. The entire

Games bid & the wall of secrecy surrounding the building of the now

$15,000,000 Fall River Rec Centre (paid for by an area rate) are a few

examples.

On a smaller scale I am the Executive Director and Treasurer of a Minor

Baseball Association for 400 kids, I post in plain sight every year our

entire financial statement on our website for everyone to see, the last

5 years are there (www.eteamz.com/lwf). As the Secretary of the LWF

Fire/Community Hall I introduced the motion to post all Meeting Minutes

on the Hall wall after every meeting. These are just examples but I

absolutely believe in the citizens right to know. Its our money and

our country!

Thanks, Barry Dalrymple

Candidate for District 2 Councillor

barry@barrydal.com

http://www.barrydal.com/

Matthew A. Christie - Municipal - District 21- Bedford

From:
matt@matthewchristieonline.com

To:
Darce Fardy

Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 3:05 PM

Subject: Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia

Dear Mr. Fardy:

Thank you for your email sent on September 18, 2008, on behalf of the Right to Know Coalition of Nova Scotia.

I acknowledge the importance of transparency in government and believe that your organization is doing an important job for the citizens of Nova Scotia.

If I am elected Councillor of Bedford (District 21), I intend to establish and re-establish citizens advisory groups such as the Immigration Advisory Council and the Senior's Advisory Council. By involving the citizens of Bedford in the planning process and keeping them informed, I hope to create an atmosphere of transparency and an environment where citizens are engaged in the democratic process. I confirm my commitment to comply with the Municipal Government Act and to be accountable to the citizens of Bedford.

Sincerely,

Matthew A. Christie

http://www.matthewchristieonline.com/

Linda Mosher - Municipal - District 17 - Purcell's Cove - Armdale - incumbent

From:
Linda Mosher

To:
Darce Fardy

Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 8:05 AM

Subject: Re:

If elected, I absolutely will continue to ensure that the Halifax Regional Municipality is fully accoutable to the public as required under the Municipal Government Act. It is imperative that our government is open and transparent to members of the public and that there are no unnecessary barriers to freedom on informtion requests. In the last eight years on Regional Council I have demonstrated, through action and support, these important public rights.

http://www.halifax.ca/districts/dist17/dist17.html

David Sampson - Municipal - District 18 - Spryfield - Herring Cove

From:
David Sampson

To:
Darce Fardy

Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 8:18 PM

Subject: Re:

Dear Mr. Fardy,

I am absolutly in favour of completely open access to information that does not legally have to be kept private. In fact I sometimes think that the act is actually used as a door to hide behind to delay the public. I do not believe that the public should have to pay for information that belongs to them and I will whenever possible make available information that is not protected as private to my constituents for the asking. Lack of openess and information needed for people to make informed decisions has been a problem in my district for a long time and I will not continue on this path.

David Sampson

Candidate for Councillor District 18

dksampson@hfx.eastlink.ca

Bruce DeVenne - Municipal - District 20 - Lower Sackville

From:
Bruce DeVenne

To:
Darce

Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 4:17 PM

Subject: Candidate Bruce DeVenne

 
 

Darce

You're right. Low voter turnout can be connected to secrecy. Mayor Peter Kelly ranted and raved against secrecy when he was a councillor now City Council makes Howard Hughes look like an exhibitionist.

As well throughout the system secrecy is rampant. Look at the Commonwealth games. Also the tax payer paid for feasibility study that Fred MacGillivary had done with respect to the games. It took over a year to see it and with good reason as far as Mr. MacGillivary was concerned. His own study said that a football stadium, even with a CFL franchise would be a financial burden on the tax payer. They are spending public funds and working for the public. The public, as their employer, has a right to know what they are doing, who is doing it and where public funds are being spent. Every dime every day. As well all votes in council should be recorded and made public within 24 hours. We have a right to know who is backing which economic nightmare like the Bedford Halifax high speed ferry.

 
 

Bruce DeVenne

Candidate district 20

Lr. Sackville

www.bdevenne.com

Ph.# 23 ELECT

Dawn Marie Sloane - Municipal - District 12 - Halifax Downtown - incumbent

From: "Dawn Marie Sloane" <dmsloane@ns.sympatico.ca>

To: "Darce Fardy" <darce@eastlink.ca>

Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 9:29 PM

Subject: Re: Right to Know

 
 

When sworn into office, you are asked to take an Oath. I take this Oath seriously and have also taken a course on public consultation and citizen engagement. I agree that there must be more transparency. When the public thinks something is a done deal before it is even brought to Council, demonstrates that the process is not working properly. As the first words in the course I took said " if it is going too fast, it isn't democracy!"

 
 

Cheers

Dawn

http://www.halifax.ca/districts/dist12/dist12.html

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/