Is the business of public officials any of the public’s business? Most Canadians would argue that it is – that we citizens are entitled to enquire and get answers about our government’s actions. Access to information (ATI) is widely regarded as a fundamental right, consistent with the notion that a democratic government should be open, accountable, and citizen-driven. Yet, on a practical level, there still exists a struggle between the public’s pursuit of transparency and the government’s persistent culture of secrecy. Drawing together the unique perspectives of social scientists, journalists, and ATI advocates, Brokering Access explores the policies and practices surrounding access to information at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. The book’s four sections each explore a different aspect of ATI within a theoretical or practical framework. Beginning with a look at the history of ATI mechanisms and a summary of the key features of contemporary ATI laws, Brokering Access goes on to tackle issues of security and information control; illustrates how ATI can be used as a data production method in the social sciences; and finally chronicles the experiences of some of Canada’s most prominent journalistic users of ATI. This volume sheds new light on a subject that affects all Canadians. | Brokering Access by Mike Larsen, Paperback | Indigo Chapters