OCUFA Study: Real Freedom of Information Needed at Ontario Universities
(Click here for a pdf copy of the report)

The longstanding exemption of Ontario universities from provincial freedom-of-information laws makes it difficult or impossible to get access to basic data that should be freely available to the public, according to a new Research Report from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations.

The OCUFA study analyzes the different voluntary access to information policies in effect at Ontario universities, and reports on OCUFA’s effort to request basic data on faculty hiring separately from each institution.

A few universities responded promptly and fully, while most either ignored the request, declined to provide the information or provided partial responses, the study found.

"This detailed study supports OCUFA’s position that universities should be included under the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act," said OCUFA President Michael Doucet. "We believe the government should move promptly to end an exemption that limits access to information the public has every right to know."

Earlier this year, Ontario’s Freedom of Information Commissioner Dr. Ann Cavoukian also publicly called for including universities under FOI legislation.

The full Research Report is at www.ocufa.on.ca.

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For further information please contact: Mark Rosenfeld, Associate Executive Director, (416) 979-2117 ext.34 or
Charles Campbell, Research Analyst, at (416) 979-2117 ext. 24
Web: http://www.ocufa.on.ca

Source: OCUFA website