September 28, 2008 is international Right to Know Day. This annual event celebrates the right of individual access to information held by public bodies, and the benefits of transparent, accessible government.

September 29 to October 3, 2008 is being marked in Canadian provinces, territories and federally as Right to Know Week. In Manitoba, Right to Know Week is being noted in several ways. Manitoba Ombudsman is helping to provide information on right to know events hosted by organizations and communities recognizing this fundamental democratic right.

Upcoming Events in Manitoba

Monday, September 29, 2008, Winnipeg

Free public presentation, Professor Alasdair Roberts, Suffolk University Law School, Boston on “Blacked Out: Government Secrecy in the Information Age”

Where	University of Winnipeg Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall 515 Portage Avenue
Time	3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Contact	Gail Perry, Manager, Research/Education Manitoba Ombudsman Tel. 982-9139 (Winnipeg); 1-800-665-0531 (toll free in Manitoba)
Sponsors	Canadian Association of Consumers (Manitoba) Canadian Association of Journalists (Manitoba) Canadian Taxpayers Federation (Manitoba) Manitoba Association For Rights and Liberties Manitoba Bar Association Manitoba Ombudsman Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba University of Winnipeg Wendy Elliott, Privacy Consultant

Wednesday, October 1, 2008, Winnipeg

Free public Right to Know event, “Know Your Right to Know”

Media Personalities, other experienced access to information seekers and access to
information professionals will share their experience and address your questions.

Where	Portage Place Shopping Centre, Edmonton Court 393 Portage Avenue
Time	12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Contact	Gail Perry, Manager, Research/Education Manitoba Ombudsman Tel. 982-9139 (Winnipeg); 1-800-665-0531 (toll free in Manitoba)
Sponsors	Canadian Association of Consumers (Manitoba) Canadian Association of Journalists (Manitoba) Canadian Taxpayers Federation (Manitoba) Manitoba Association For Rights and Liberties Manitoba Bar Association Manitoba Ombudsman Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba Wendy Elliott, Privacy Consultant The Winnipeg Free Press Winnipeg Sun

Friday October 3, 2008, Winnipeg

Free public presentation, in French, Assistant Information Commissioner of Canada Suzanne Legault, on “Moderniser l’accès à l’information au Canada: de crieur public au village mondial…”

Where	St. Boniface College Room 1531 200 Rue de la Cathédrale
Time	12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Contact	Gail Perry, Manager, Research/Education Manitoba Ombudsman Tel. 982-9139 (Winnipeg); 1-800-665-0531 (toll free in Manitoba)
Sponsors	Canadian Association of Consumers (Manitoba) Canadian Association of Journalists (Manitoba) Canadian Taxpayers Federation (Manitoba) Manitoba Association For Rights and Liberties Manitoba Bar Association Manitoba Ombudsman Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba St. Boniface College Wendy Elliott, Privacy Consultant

Announcements

To date, five governments in Manitoba have indicated their intention to declare “Right to Know Week” in their jurisdiction. We intend to post their proclamations as of Right to Know Week.

Past Events in 2008

Sunday, April 13 2008, Winnipeg

What	Right to Know Courtroom Exhibition Law Day 2008 Open House
Where	Winnipeg Law Courts Building
	During the Law Day 2008 Open House, representatives from the Manitoba Right to Know Committee informed the public on the individual’s right to access information held in the public sector, by such bodies as provincial and municipal governments, hospitals, school divisions, universities and colleges.