Accessing Manitoba's archives: exploring the status and response to freedom of information and protection of privacy rights at the archives of manitoba

Abstract

This thesis looks specifically at how freedom of information and privacy protection laws and the various programs, systems, and procedures through which they are administered, interact with and impact archival access. The study attempts to explain haw political conservatism, paucity of resources, and risk adverseness have encumbered the highly sophisticated archival systems and administrative measures put in place by the Archives of Manitoba, and to suggest how certain programs of proactive release might alleviate concerns by creating a more efficient and equitable system of public access to the many kilometers of government archival records held by the Archives of Manitoba.