Annual Report: 2004-2005

From the very beginning, when the Access to Information Act was passed, there has never been sufficient attention to the education and training of those involved in the Act’s administration. There have been sporadic efforts by government to provide training to the ATIP officers and coordinators in government institutions, but there has never been mandatory training, there are no system-wide knowledge standards or codes of conduct, and no professional accreditation for information rights specialists. While training and education for access and privacy specialists has been sporadic and inadequate, training and education for senior officials, deputy ministers, ministers and ministerial exempt staff has been almost non-existent. It is often at these senior and political levels where ignorance of the law wrecks the most havoc.

Over the past several years, a ray of hope has been shining through. The University of Alberta became the first Canadian university – indeed, the first in the world – to offer a comprehensive, online, post-secondary, certificate program on the administration of information rights, including access to information and privacy laws. The program – Information Access and Protection of Privacy (IAPP) Certificate Program – is offered by the Government Studies center of the University of Alberta’s faculty of extension, in collaboration with leading information rights experts. The online courses are enhanced with audio and video presentations, guest speakers, discussion groups and technical and instructional support. Successful completion of five courses is required to obtain the IAPP certificate.

The Information Commissioner became involved as a supporter and user of the IAPP’s services. The commissioner’s involvement was conditional, however, on the program becoming national in scope and delivered in both official languages. The University of Alberta took up that challenge and courses in French commenced this year.

[For more information, phone 1-877-686-4625 (toll free) or e-mail at govstudy@ualberta.ca. Website: www.govsource.net/programs/iapp]

It is to be hoped that this program will lead the way towards a full academic and professional standard for individuals who seek a career in information rights administration in government or the private sector.