The world can change because information becomes public.

Watergate and the current sponsorship scandal highlight how previously secretinformation can bring down governments.   

Reporters and activists rely on information. One of the mostimportant skills needed by activists working to promote healthy, prosperouscommunities is accessing information from government.  Yet few British Columbians understand that almostall documents in government’s hands belong to us, the people of British Columbia.

As part of Dogwood Initiative’s ongoing efforts to empower British Columbians to do great things renowned journalist Russ Francis and I are hosting a workshop on Wednesday, January 18th, atUVic explaining how to get the information you really want (and the governmentdoesn’t want you to have).

Learn how activists and reporters get the information they need.   Learn how to take advantage of publicly availableinformation and Freedom of Information laws.

Whether it is secret governmentcontracts, internal government reports, letters or emails between governmentagencies, or company plans or studies, you and I are entitled to see or getcopies. Learn the tricks of the trade, accessinghundreds of records so you can dig up the dirt. Remember, many a scandalhas been revealed and campaign won because undisclosed information has becomepublic.

The workshop on Accessing Government Records – FOI’s andMore is part of the RESEARCHING FOR CHANGE series being put on by VancouverIsland Public Interest Research Group (VIPIRG).

The workshop is free, open to the public, and will be heldat the University of Victoria,Elliott Building Room 60 on Wednesday January 18th between 12:30-4:00pm.

For more information, contact VIPIRG at: 472-4386
email:research@vipirg.ca
or visit www.vipirg.ca