Did You Know?

International Freedom of Information

• Each year, more than 40 countries and 60 non-governmental organizations participate in Right to Know Day.

• As of 2009, over 80 countries have freedom of information legislation.
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• Sweden passed the world’s first freedom of information law in 1766.

Access to Information in Canada

• The first jurisdictions to introduce their own access to information legislation were Nova Scotia (1977),  New Brunswick (1980), Newfoundland (1981) and Quebec (1982).

• Today, all Canadian provinces and territories have freedom of information legislation and a commissioner or ombudsperson who is responsible for ensuring that the rights of information requesters are respected.