FOI request for jail info met with $5,400 bill

Access to information is a cornerstone of democracy and provides the media and citizens alike with the ability to hold governments accountable.

But what if the government prices that access out the range of news organizations, or private citizens?

The Standard, in attempting report on the conditions at Niagara Detention Centre, was asked to pay a $5,400 bill for access to records with information about what corrections officers are finding during searches of inmate cells during routine inspections in 2017 and 2018.

The story that would result from the FOI request is one of a series this year that is looking at conditions at the troubled detention centre. Corrections officers have told The Standard violence is skyrocketing and third of employees have taken sick, stress or post-traumatic-stress-disorder leave.

There were two drug-related inmate deaths in 2018 and numerous incidents of overdoses. Five inmates were taken to hospital during one day in March alone.

The request for the information was filed with the Ministry of the Solicitor General in March.

A letter that followed months later said the ministry anticipated giving the newspaper only partial access to information, but even that would cost $3,600 to assemble and $1,800 to prepare.

The letter added there are provisions to waive the fee if the request is in the public interest. The Standard filed a letter asking for the waiver and provided an explanation about why the information is important to the public.

The ministry replied June 13 by letter rejecting request.