Then, meet now (II)

Then, October 2006. (Hi, Billy Hickey!)

Newfoundland and Labrador leads the country in providing Access to Information

An audit released by the Canadian Newspaper Association ranks Newfoundland and Labrador's Access to Information system tied for first across the country. Justice Minister and Attorney General Tom Marshall said today that the results of the audit clearly illustrate that government is living up to its openness and transparency commitments.

The Canadian Newspaper Association’s second National Freedom of Information Audit, released last week, tests the federal access to information program, as well as those of the 10 Canadian provinces. The audit ranks Newfoundland and Labrador tied with British Columbia as having the best access to information program in Canada. "We are obviously very pleased with the results of the audit, being one of the top two is certainly a record to be proud of, especially in light of the fact that this is a new program," said Minister Marshall.

Now:

Province's grade drops in freedom of information report card

ST. JOHN'S
ROB ANTLE
The Telegram

A national audit of freedom of information laws puts Newfoundland and Labrador in the bottom half of national openness and transparency rankings.

The Canadian Newspaper Association audit - undertaken in conjunction with the University of King's College in Halifax - gave the province a grade of C+.

Newfoundland and Labrador ranked ahead of only Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario among the 11 provincial and territorial governments surveyed.

...

The Newfoundland and Labrador government declined comment on the audit's findings.

"At this time, without having the opportunity to review the report in its entirety, it would be premature to respond to the findings," Ken Morrissey, a spokesman for the Department of Justice, said in an e-mailed statement Friday.

Had time to review the report in its entirety yet, Ken?

Will there be a press release?