The latest data reveals that the Manitoba government is taking more time to handle freedom of information requests and is collecting higher fees from requesters. In the previous fiscal year ending in March, government departments and agencies processed over 1,200 such requests, with only 55 percent being completed within the standard 45-day timeframe mandated by law. This marks a decrease from previous years, where completion rates were at 69 and 70 percent, respectively.
Requesters collectively paid over $13,000 for information, a significant increase compared to previous years. The rise in fees may dissuade individuals with limited financial resources from seeking information, according to Paul Thomas, a political science professor at the University of Manitoba.
The delays in processing requests are attributed in part to the recent centralization of information request handling under the Finance department by the NDP government, which assumed office in October 2023. Finance Minister Adrien Sala acknowledged the challenges and emphasized ongoing efforts to address timing delays through training and increased staffing.
The increased fees are linked to the centralization process, leading to more consistent fee assessments. While there is no upfront fee for submitting requests in Manitoba, applicants receive two hours of free staff time for record searches. Any additional time required incurs a charge of $15 per half-hour.
The surge in fee collection last year was influenced by requests involving extensive records related to various topics, including a proposed silica sand mine and the search for Indigenous women’s remains in a landfill. Notably, some requests attracted substantial fee estimates ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Despite the higher fees and processing delays, there has been a decline in the number of freedom of information requests submitted to the government over the long term. The majority of requests in the last fiscal year originated from individuals, with media outlets and political parties accounting for the rest.
Overall, the Manitoba government’s handling of information requests faces challenges due to increased processing times and fee collection, amidst a backdrop of declining request numbers over the years.
