Open Governments, Secret Canada

Hiding Information Other Countries Share

Matt Malone has travelled the world to see how other countries have made information accessible to their citizens. In country after country, he found that officials have learned to live with (and sometimes even love) having their records open and freely available to their people. Denmark has been so successful in stamping out government corruption that even free amusement park passes caused public outrage. The investigation into the bank collapse in Iceland led to whistleblower protection. In Estonia, full and early access to all digital court records has given the public swift justice. As a passionate advocate of open government, Malone contrasts the experience of each country he visits with current Canadian government practice and policies. He offers convincing evidence of how Canada has been moving in the exact opposite direction, steadily increasing government secrecy. With compelling examples internationally of what good government can mean in this digital age, this book is bound to encourage Canadians to demand better from the country’s secret keepers.

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