BATTLEFORD — The council of the Town of Battleford approved a new Freedom of Information Request Policy at their Monday, Dec. 11 council meeting that brings the town in line with other municipalities and levels of government.
Documents presented to council note that the new policy will enhance transparency and accountability with members of the public, but also hopes to build and maintain trust with residents of Battleford while protecting against any information leaks.
"I was in a SUMA legal course and this was brought to [my] attention that members of the public have the right to ask for information as far back as the incorporation of the town ... and I did not realize that we did not have a policy to address it," Mayor Ames Leslie told council.
"It was also brought to my attention that I as the mayor am the sole person to approve or deny requests for information,"
The new policy outlines the terms under which people are allowed to access records and outlines what personal information the town may have on record that may not be released.
That includes personal information up to and including:
- race,
- religion,
- family status,
- age,
- birthdate,
- place of origin,
- employment or criminal history,
- financial information,
- home address, email address or telephone number,
- physical or mental condition of an individual,
- an individual’s personal views or opinions except where they are about another individual,
- or information like SIN, driver's license or other documentation.
The policy includes information about how the town collects information, how breaches would be handled in the event of a leak, a fee structure for requests, the new form that must be filled out for formal requests, and a checklist for town staff to follow.
"The town promotes a philosophy of Open Government that recognizes the public has the right to access public documents and proceedings of the town to optimize transparency, accountability and increased public engagement," reads a portion of the policy outlining the town's commitment to transparency.
"The town is committed to supporting the concepts of transparency, accountability, accessibility, and participation and as such is committed to proactively providing information through its Open Government Philosophy."
Mayor Leslie also noted that the policy relinquishes the mayor's power to approve the request to the CAO, Landon Chambers.
"I think it's pretty straightforward. It's probably something we should have had a long time ago," Shelly Boutin-Jervais noted.
