Look at Freedom of Information Requests
If you’re trying to find government information that is generally not made available, it may be helpful to look in databases of information released as part of an FOI request. Note that availability of this information varies by jurisdiction.
The Government of Canada provides a database of completed Access to Information (ATI) requests made to the Government of Canada after January 2020. “If you find a summary of interest, you can request a copy of the records at no cost using the form below each summary. Requests made through this form are considered informal requests and are not subject to the same requirements as requests under the Access to Information Act (ATIA).”
The B.C. government’s Open Information page “provides access to the routine release of public information that has been most commonly requested” along with “individual requests for specific government information”. Similarly Nova Scotia provides previously released (disclosed) responses to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests.
Some municipalities (e.g. the City of Vancouver) also post FOI responses.
Start the discussion!