Released today, Bob Rae's Postsecondary Review's final report contains at least one ray of hope. The 132 document contains one occurance of "Freedom of information". It's found under "ACCOUNTABILITY", and Rae said;

Freedom of information legislation should be extended in its application to all institutions. Similarly, the extension of the powers of the Auditor General to “follow the money” will lead to greater accountability and more public discussion about the reasonableness of financial practices in the broader public sector.

Given we've been told that even those with few and limited expectations of Rae's Postsecondary Review have found much to be disappointed with, we wonder if our guarded optimism just wishful thinking. On the other hand, perhaps Rae has listend to us, and others, and seen the light and realized that only by legislating accountability and transparency for Ontario's universities will we know if our tax and tuition dollars are being wisely spent or if we're just being fleeced? We're not alone in our thinking - even OPSEU has endorsed the call to include universities in freedom of information legislation.

It will take some time to parse through the Report, but on a quick read we see that the thrust of the call to bring universities under Freedomof Information legislation is not really diminished. Interestingly the word "accountability" appears 35 times, "accountable" 3 times, "transparency" 12 times and "transparent" 13 times. Buzz words to be sure - but they just may turn into action. We certainly hope so.

Remember, in spite of being registered charities and receiving nearly $2 billion annually from you the taxpayer, Ontario universities are effectively completely unaccountable for what they do with this money and for how well they do, or don't, manage the institutions. They answer only to themselves.

Until such time as Ontario universities are subject Freedom of Information legislation (FOIPPA) universities can claim their costs are soaring and say they need to raise tuition and say they need more taxpayer dollars and we will have no way of confirming those claims other than blind faith in university managers. Students, taxpayers and parents are expected to continue to pay, and in the absence of accountability, transparency and public scrutiny, this is a social and financial injustice.

Rae has confirmed that it's time for transparency and accountability in the management of our Ontario universities. We think the Ontario government should swiftly pass legislation to bring universities in full compliance with the Act. What do you think? You tell us.

It won't take much of your time to contribute to the movement to make Ontario Universities accountable.

1. The Honourable Gerry Phillips is the Chair of Management Board of Cabinet (Management Board Secretariat) that will make the decision to bring Ontario universities under the auspices of the Freedom of Information Act. You can
    - FAX Phillips on-line using the University of Ottawa graduate students on-line fax petition,
    - phone Phillips' office 416-327-2333 and tell him "It is essential that Ontario Universities come under the Freedom of Information Act". If you don't get Phillips himself, leave a message with his secretary who is obliged to relay all messages to him
    - send email to Phillips: gphillips.mpp@liberal.ola.org
2. Contact your local MPP and tell him/her that you too want our universities be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (they probably don't know the universities are exempt!). You can find your MPP's contact information at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website.
3. Keep reading the material here at OurTrent - and visit often.