Right to know

International Right to Know Day was first introduced in 2002 in Sofia, Bulgaria, at an international meeting of access to information advocates. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness among citizens of their right to access government information, while promoting freedom of information as essential to both democracy and good governance. Since 2002, Right to Know Day is celebrated around the world on September 28. In Canada, Right to Know Day extends to a week of celebrations. Follow the hashtag #RTK2024 to find out more about the activities taking place across the country. In 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information. Considering that several civil society organizations and government bodies around the world were already celebrating this special day, the United Nations General Assembly also proclaimed September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information in its resolution 74/5, which was adopted on October 15, 2019. Text version

Right to know

“A properly functioning access system is critical to ensuring accountability, transparency, and the trust of the public.”

• 1995: 19 countries
• 2006: 66 countries
• 2014: 102 countries
• 2021: 127 countries

1766

Sweden becomes the first country in the world to introduce freedom-of-information rules.

1977

Nova Scotia becomes the first province in Canada to introduce its own access-to-information legislation.

1983

The federal Access to Information Act comes into force.

2002

International Right to Know Day is established in Bulgaria.

2006

Canada’s first Right to Know Week is celebrated.

2011

Open Government Partnership is created.

2019

The federal Access to Information Act is amended by Parliament, in particular to give the Information Commissioner order-making powers.

The United Nations General Assembly adopts a resolution proclaiming September 28 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.

2020-2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the right of access to information–a quasi-constitutional right–is of utmost importance.

2023

This year marks the 40 th anniversary of the coming into force of the federal Access to Information Act.

The 10 Right to Know Principles

Since the introduction of International Right to Know Day, certain principles have emerged that form the core of the Right to Know movement.

1. Access to information is a right of everyone.
2. Access is the rule. Secrecy is the exception.
3. The right applies to all public bodies.
4. Making requests should be simple, speedy, and free.
5. Officials have a duty to assist requesters.
6. Refusals must be justified.
7. The public interest takes precedence over secrecy.
8. Everyone has the right to appeal an adverse decision.
9. Public bodies should proactively publish core information.
10. The right to know should be guaranteed by an independent body.

Toolbox

• Right to Know visuals
• Right to Know background
• Right to Know infographic
• 9 Tips for ATIP-Friendly Email Management from the Office of the Information Commissioner

Submit a complaint

Submit a complaint

Online complaint form

The online complaint form will be unavailable on Wednesday, May 28, 2024 - 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. We apologize for this inconvenience.

The Access to Information Act gives a right to access information under the control of government institutions. The Act also provides a right to complain to the Information Commissioner about matters related to an access request made under the Act, such as the following:

• the institution’s response to the request
• the fact that the institution did not respond to the request
• how an institution treated the request.

Individuals may also complain about other matters related to requesting and accessing records under Part 1 of the Act, even if they did not make an access request.

In all instances, complainants may authorize someone else to submit a complaint(s) on their behalf.